Why Multi-Agency Recall Data Is Hard to Compare

If you have ever tried to compare recall notices from different U.S. agencies, you have probably run into the same problem: the information does not line up neatly. A toy recall from CPSC, a food recall from FDA, and a vehicle recall from NHTSA may all describe safety risks, but they are not published in the same format.

Different agencies, different jobs

CPSC focuses on consumer products. FDA covers food, drugs, and health products. NHTSA deals with vehicles and transportation safety. Each agency collects and publishes recall data in a way that matches its own mission.

The formats are not the same

CPSC recalls read like public-facing announcements. FDA recall records look more like enforcement data. NHTSA records are more technical, centered on campaign numbers and defect descriptions.

The classification systems do not match

FDA uses Class I, Class II, and Class III. CPSC describes specific hazards. NHTSA emphasizes affected components and defect consequences. There is no universal severity label.

The terminology shifts from source to source

One agency may use "hazard," another "defect," another "classification." A company name may appear as manufacturer, recalling firm, or brand owner depending on the source.

Why consumers struggle to search across agencies

Most people begin with "Is my product affected?" not "Which agency issued this recall?" If the data lives in separate systems with different search fields, useful results can be easy to miss.

How RecallDex solves the comparison problem

RecallDex brings multi-agency recall data into a single searchable experience. It normalizes core fields like dates, categories, manufacturers, and remedies so cross-agency browsing becomes practical, while keeping the source visible because agency context still matters.