What is a Food Recall?

Food Recalls
   

A food recall is the intentional removal of a product from the market when there are reasons to believe it may be a potential hazard for the consumer. Some potential hazards are:

• biological hazards such as the presence of pathogens (ex: Listeria monocytogenes in ready- to-eat meat)

• chemical hazards such as undeclared allergens (ex: peanuts in granola bars)

• physical hazards (ex: metal fragments in ground meat)
   

Recall Classification

Recalls fall into three classes:

• What is a Food Recall?
   
• Recall Classification
   
• Triggers for a Recall
   
• Be Prepared for a Recall
   
• Effective Recall Program
   
• Managing a Recall
   
• Related Links

Class I: a situation where serious adverse health consequences or death may result if the product is consumed (ex: pathogenic bacteria in ready-to-eat products may lead to a recall class I).

Class II: a situation where a health hazard possibly exists but the probability is remote (ex: presence of small traces of undeclared allergens may lead to a recall class II).

Class III: a situation where the consumption of the product is not likely to cause any health problems (ex: severe quality issues) on a product may lead to a recall class III).

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Triggers for a Recall

Recalls are triggered by different issues including:

• microbial, chemical or physical analysis of the product (ex: E. coli 0157:H7 presence on beef burgers)

• consumer or customer complaints

• international or other government agency referrals

• critical process deficiencies found during inspections (ex: milk pasteurization performed under inadequate time or temperature)

• deficiencies on Good Manufacturing Practices found during inspections (ex: a serious sanitation problem, excessive use of nitrates on meat products)

• information from an ingredient and/or packaging suppliers

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Be Prepared for a Recall

Despite the best efforts of processors to produce safe food, a product recall may occur. The best way to be ready for a recall is to have a recall program in place for your facility.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has developed a guide to help food processors develop a recall program. For more information, see the Manufacturers' Guide. A hard copy of this guide and more information on recalls is available at the CFIA Office (Manitoba) at 204-229-9896.

Why is it important to be prepared for a recall?

Companies must be prepared to handle a recall in an efficient manner so they can protect consumer’s health; preventing outbreaks and illness. In this sense, a properly designed program could reduce the effects of the recall on the market as well as protect the company and its brand.

 

Effective Recall Program

Ten basic elements for an effective recall program:

1. recall management team
2. complaint file
3. recall contact list
4. tracing system of raw ingredients, packaging materials and finished products
5. product amounts
6. distribution records and distribution record system
7. recalled product records
8. recall procedures
9. recall effectiveness procedures
10. regular updating and testing of the recall plan

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Managing a Recall

If your company has produced and sold unsafe products you must recall the products. Notify the local Canadian Food Inspection Agency Office at 204-229-9896 (Manitoba) and provide specific information about the product. This will be used by the CFIA to classify the recall and develop a risk management strategy to remove all hazardous products from store shelves.

• a detailed description of the problem

• the name, brand, size, lot code(s) affected

• details of complaints received and any reported illnesses

• the distribution of the product, local and national

• specific dates the product was distributed

• label(s) of the product(s) being recalled

• the total quantity of product manufactured and distributed

• the name of your firm's contact with the CFIA

• the name and telephone number(s) for your firm's after-hours contact

When the product poses a serious health risk (Class I recall), the CFIA issues a public warning posted as Food Recall/Allergy Alerts.

If you would like to receive information about food products being recalled, sign up for the CFIA Allergy Alerts and Food Recalls email subscription service.

 

Related Links

• Office of Food Safety and Recall
• CFIA Recall Alerts
• Health Canada - Advisories, Warnings and Recalls
• FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
• USDA Food Recalls

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For information on the Food Safety Program contact the CVO/Food Safety Knowledge Centre.  For technical information, call 204-795-7968 in Winnipeg; or e-mail foodsafety@gov.mb.ca. For general information, contact your local GO Centre.