Recalls

On this page

• What is a food recall?
• When is food recalled and when is it withdrawn?
• Who is responsible for recalling a food product?
• What are the different types of food recalls?
• Where do I find the current list of food recalls?
• Conducting food recalls

What is a food recall?

Any food that poses a safety hazard to consumers is removed from sale, distribution and consumption. This is called a “food recall”.

When is food recalled and when is it withdrawn?

Food is recalled when it poses a possible public health and safety risk to consumers.

A product may be withdrawn from sale for two reasons:

• the product has a quality defect (eg. colour or texture) is underweight or has labelling irregularities but does not pose a potential risk to public health and safety;
• as a precaution, stock may be withdrawn from distribution and/or sale pending further investigation — if a risk to public health and safety is established, the product must be recalled.

Who is responsible for recalling a food product?

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) nationally coordinates the recall of foods that are a health and safety risk to consumers.In NSW, The Food Authority coordinates food recalls within the State. The Authority also has the power to mandate a food recall if required.

The majority of food recalls are voluntarily initiated by businesses when food production monitoring has identified a fault or in response to public complaints. The Authority may also initiate food recalls following the investigation of reported foodborne illness incidents or complaints about the safety of food.

Should a concern be serious enough to warrant a food recall, the Authority’s Recall Coordinator will work with the manufacturer to ensure the recall is effectively conducted and will coordinate the recall with other state and local authorities to prevent the food being distributed and sold.

What are the different types of food recalls?

The type of recall depends on the type of product, where it is sold and reason for the recall. There are several types of recalls:

Trade Level - involves recovery of the product from distribution centres and wholesalers and may also involve hospitals, restaurants and other major catering establishments, and outlets that sell food manufactured for immediate consumption or food that is prepared on the premises.

Consumer Level - involves recovery of the product from all points in the production and distribution networks/chains including any affected product in the possession of consumers.

Voluntary Recall - where the manufacturer or importer initiates a food recall

Mandatory Recall - where the Director General of NSW Food Authority directs the manufacturer/importer to recall a food product.

Where do I find the current list of food recalls?

Details of recent national consumer level food recalls can be found on the FSANZ Food Recall page.

Information on recent recalls is also available from the Commonwealth Treasury Department's Product Recall site.

The FSANZ recall page also provides contact information for all State and Territory recall co-ordinators.

Conducting food recalls

Under Standard 3.2.2 12 (Food Safety Standards, a manufacturer, wholesaler or importer must:

• have in place a system to ensure the recall of unsafe food;
• set out this system in a written document and make this document available to an authorised officer upon request; and
• comply with this system when recalling unsafe food.

For step-by-step on how a recall should progress please refer to the product recall process flowchart:

• Product recall withdrawal process flowchart (PDF 39 KB) ¹

To assist businesses in developing a food recall plan FSANZ has provided guidelines titled:

• Food Industry Recall Protocol - A guide to writing a food recall plan conducting a food recall (5th ed)

This booklet has a step by step guide to developing a food recall plan and covers all the steps a business must take when recalling or withdrawing a product. A printed copy of the FSANZ guide can be obtained by contacting FSANZ on 1300 652 166 or by e-mailing advice@foodstandards.gov.au

If you are considering a possible recall of food produced or distributed by your business, you should contact the NSW Food Authority’s Investigation and Recall Coordinator on 1300 552 406.

¹Product recall withdrawal process flowchart provided by the Australian Food and Grocery Council. http://www.afgc.org.au/cmsdocuments/Flowchart%20v11.pdf