Recalls in California: What the Data Shows

California ranks first in the ConsumerSun state ranking. In the ConsumerSun Recall Index, 825 recalls dated between October 31, 2024, and October 27, 2026, carry an official distribution statement naming California. Another 1,444 recalls in that window were distributed nationwide, so they reached California too, on top of the 825 counted here.

The Index tracks 4,726 recalls from three federal agencies: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This article covers which companies account for the most recalls distributed in California, which hazards appear most often, and what to do if you own a recalled product. For the national picture, see our ranking of recalls by state.

Which companies file the most recalls distributed in California?

Two medical supply companies lead the California list. ASP Global accounts for 64 records, all of them disposable tourniquet cuffs sold under the Expressaire brand. Medline Industries follows with 61 records, most of them surgical convenience kits assembled for hospitals. Silver Moon, an ice cream maker whose labels appear on store brands, is third with 48 records. Avid Medical (20 records), Surgify Medical Oy (19), and Bard Access Systems (17) complete the top six.

Two forces push California to the top. The state is the largest consumer market in the country, and Food and Drug Administration distribution statements name destination states in detail. A hospital supply recall that ships to forty states names California in its statement, so the same national recall appears in California's count and in most other states' counts as well.

What are the leading hazards in California recalls?

The most common hazard wording in the California records is a labeling failure, not a contamination event. The 64 ASP Global records share a single problem: tourniquet cuffs manufactured between September 2016 and March 2023 were printed with a 10 year shelf life, when the correct validated shelf life is 5 years.

The next hazards are a mix of device and food problems:

• Potential for burr breakage during bi-portal endoscopic spinal surgery accounts for 19 records, all tied to Surgify Medical Oy.
• Potential contamination with Salmonella accounts for 17 records.
• Unapproved design changes made outside a cleared design account for 16 records.
• Possible contamination with a lubricant used in manufacturing accounts for 15 records, tied to Avid Medical procedure packs.

What are some recent recalls that reached California?

Three records dated October 21, 2026, show the range of the California list:

• Medline Industries, LP recalled convenience kits containing CONMED AirSeal Access Ports. The ports can cause erroneous overpressure alerts and system venting during use, which may result in delays or in a procedure ending early.
• Magellan Diagnostics, Inc. recalled the LeadCare II Blood Lead Test Kit, model 70-6762. In one sub-lot, the printed expiration date reads July 22, 2026, while the correct expiration date is July 13, 2026.
• Ferno-Washington Inc recalled the Power F2 Powered Fastening System, used with Power X2 stretchers. A firmware issue may cause intermittent loss or reduced powered performance during patient transport.

What should a California consumer do with a recalled product?

1. Check the product against the current list on ConsumerSun's weekly recall page. Match the lot code, model number, or UPC, not just the product name.
2. Follow the remedy in the official agency record linked from the Index. Remedies range from a refund or a free repair to an instruction to stop using the product and throw it away.
3. Keep the packaging, or a photo of the lot code, until the remedy is complete. Companies often ask for that proof.
4. For a vehicle recall, the agency record points you to a dealer for the repair. For a hospital device recall, the notice normally runs through the provider rather than the patient.

How did ConsumerSun count California recalls?

We counted every recall in the Index dated October 31, 2024, through October 27, 2026, whose official distribution statement names California. Distribution statements come mainly from Food and Drug Administration records, so this state list reflects food and medical product recalls more than vehicle recalls, which rarely name individual states. In total, 2,122 of the 4,726 records in the Index carry no distribution statement at all, which makes 825 a floor rather than a complete census. One recall can name many states, so the state counts overlap and do not add up to the national total. The 1,444 nationwide recalls reached every state and are counted separately.

How does California compare with other states?

See the other state studies in this series: Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois, or browse the full recalls by state ranking. For the companies behind the biggest recall counts nationwide, see the companies with the most recalls.

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