Sedgwick: Number of Recalled Products in US Rose 25% in First Quarter

The total volume of products recalled from key industries surged by 25% in the first quarter, a new report shows.

Sedgwick’s report out on Thursday the surge comes amid a marginal decline in U.S. product recall events, shows 775 recalls in the first quarter, down from 780 in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Sedgwick’s U.S. Product Safety and Recall Index report examines recall data from the automotive, consumer product, food and drink, pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

The report shows the number of products recalled grew 25% to 125.37 million, driven by increases in the pharmaceutical sector and the food and drink sector products under the FDA’s purview.

Consumer products had an active quarter with 101 recalls, marking the highest number in 14 years. Pharmaceutical and U.S. Department of Agriculture food recalls also saw quarter-over-quarter increases.

Recalls in the automotive (13%), medical device (9%), and Food and Drug Administration regulated food sectors (4%) declined modestly in the first quarter, the report shows.

Sedgwick’s recall report also gives forward-looking analysis that takes into account new regulations and evolving priorities from lawmakers.

“Tariffs and trade remained key issues across all industries in Q1 2025,” the report states. “The unpredictable duties and rapidly changing policies impacted markets and continue to cause uncertainty globally as we move into Q2. The Trump Administration has rescinded many of the Biden Administration’s Executive Orders and has targeted other policy decisions, including those around automobile emissions and AI regulations.”

The report also comments on cuts to federal agency staff and a reduction in federal funding for many projects, including pharmaceutical research, which the authors say will likely affect enforcement actions and slow some regulatory approval processes.

“Experts are predicting widespread changes to how food and food ingredients are regulated under the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), some of which are already in motion,” the report states.

Topics USA