All you need to know about product recalls

Have you purchased an item that's involved in a product recall?

- MARTYN JAMES

Don't panic! But be cautious.Nestle recently recalled some batches of baby formula, reportedly because they may contain toxins. In addition, vehicles, white goods and thousands of other products are recalled each year because they may pose a risk to the public.

So how do product recalls work and what can you do if you've bought something that's not safe? I spotted my good friend and top legal expert Gary Rycroft talking about this on BBC Morning Live recently, so I've corralled him into writing a joint guide for you.

What happens when a product is recalled?

If a brand announces a product recall it's often only specific batches that are affected. The recall notice will provide the specific identification codes, a product number, or even timeframes when the goods might have been on sale.

If the item you purchased is part of a recall, check out the guidance on the recall notice about what happens next. These appear on the recall notice, Trading Standards and regulators website and loads of other places.