Understanding the Food Recall Process: Regulators and Industry Tools for an Effective Response

Though food producers use many controls to ensure the safety of their products, sometimes unsafe food products, or those that do not meet legal requirements, find their way into the marketplace. There have been hundreds of cases of foodborne illness and increasing numbers of deaths each year from foods that have been recalled, affecting a wide variety of foods and microorganisms with a potential to cause illness.

One of the priorities of FDA and the Food Safety Modernization Act is to improve industry and regulatory response in the event of a food recall. However navigating the food recall process can be confusing to regulators, and also to food operations, which vary in training and the sophistication of their recall programs. Often the larger chains, box stores, institutions do have proactive recall plans in place, removing products swiftly from store shelves and notifying customers of the recall. But the greatest challenge to health departments might be the smaller, independent stores and markets who don’t receive recall notices and are often not even aware of the recall, putting consumers at risk. The inspector’s role therefore becomes critical in ensuring the swift removal of recalled goods and working in cooperation with these food establishments.

In order to help facilitate the recall process in Massachusetts, the MA Food Protection Program (in cooperation with FDA) developed a training video for inspectors so they may be better prepared to conduct an effective recall response and assist food establishments in need. The purpose of this video is to assist state and local regulators’ understanding of the 3 classes of food recalls, common reasons for a recall, recall notices, and the government agencies and parties involved in issuing them. The goal is to give regulators step-by-step guidance on identifying and segregating recalled products, conducting recall effectiveness checks, and working cooperatively with food establishments and managers during a food recall.

Helpful tips for industry will be discussed, including resources for receiving accurate, complete recall information, communication and supplier recommendations, so that industry and regulators may be proactive and work together towards a more efficient, effective recall process.