Volume One: Bibliographical Perspectives on Recall Practices

The first volume of this two-volume book presented the results of a comprehensive review of the extant literature on product recalls. This book included an Abstract, Executive Summary, and Background of the Study, including the purpose of the study, the research methods used, and a survey of the historic concern with recall effectiveness.

Another section of this book discussed the recall literature. Recall studies are described and analyzed, and in addition the other recall publications were described and analyzed.

The final section of this volume provided two bibliographies. A recall studies bibliography, and a recall literature bibliography were provided.

Volume Two: Empirical Analysis of Contemporary Recall Practices

The second volume of this report basically reports the findings. The first section reports the data obtained through surveys and interviews. Separate chapters discusses the recall practices and perspectives of media gatekeepers (editors and producers), trade associations, manufacturers, retailers, federal regulatory agencies and consumer groups.

The next section includes ten chapters addressing recall strategic and tactical considerations These include; recall best practices, recall worst practices, salient recall target publics, recall media mix variation, risk communication literature recall lessons, recall effectiveness impediments and obstacles, suggestions to improve the ad hoc American recall system, federal recall agency coordination, and USDA Food Safety Inspection Service recall policies and procedures.

The final main section of this volume has two chapters. One offers conclusions and main findings, while the other suggests recall policy and procedure recommendations.

The volume concludes with the survey instrument, the interview schedule of questions, the list of interviewees, the list of survey respondents, and information about the Product Recall Research Group.