Product Recall & Withdrawal Process Flowchart Food Recall Checklist

Recall
A food recall occurs when food poses an immediate threat to public health and
safety and needs to be removed from sale. Food recalls are usually initiated by
the manufacturer or importer and must be reported to state and commonwealth
government authorities. This may be a Trade or Consumer level recall.
Withdrawal
A withdrawal is action taken to remove a food product from sale even if there is
no public health and safety issue. This may be as a result of the product having a
quality defect or as a precaution, pending further investigation of a potential health
risk. Withdrawals do not need to be notified to the authorities.
This checklist details what actions should take place if a problem
is identified with a food product.
• Nominate the person/team who will assess the problem
• Contact the NSW Food Authority to help determine the appropriate
course of action

Initial • If a food recall is to occur, comply with your food recall plan

notification Key steps should include:

A potential recall or withdrawal may
be identified or advised through the
actions of the following.
Convene product crisis
management meeting.
Manufacturers If required, action a
/Suppliers product ‘withhold or
quarantine’ step while full
assessment is conducted
Manufacturers / Retailers own reports Third party or Consumers via Police
Health officials and/or • identify which batches of food product are affected
suppliers own QA from complaints second party auditors complaints
regulatory bodies
• isolate stock that is yet to be distributed (to minimise further distribution
of the recalled food product)
Corrective action • contact the FSANZ food recall coordinator to assist with coordinating
If no risk - terminate process No risk to consumer safety, notify retailers, Notify the retailers of the food recall
If minor or quality risk other trade customers, warehouse/DC, when compliant stock
(i.e. no health risk) government authorities as applicable is available for restocking • identify where the recalled food product has been distributed
Quality assurance
and data collection to - withdrawal adequate
• compile a distribution list containing all your direct customer contact
determine if any quality
or consumer safety risk If health risk Risk to consumer safety confirmed – Recall details and identify the types of premises at which the food product
Notify media and public
identified - go to required. Notify government authorities, retailers,
(If consumer level recall) is likely to be sold
next step for Product Recall other trade customers, warehouse/DC

• contact distributors
If no risk - terminate process No risk to consumer safety, notify retailers,
If minor or quality risk other trade customers, warehouse/DC, • inform the public (for consumer recalls only)
Advise manufacturer/ (i.e. no health risk) government authorities as applicable
Retailer supplier of product Quality assurance - withdrawal adequate • implement a course of action to prevent a recurrence of the problem
Corporate risk for corporate and data collection to
brands and mutually determine if any quality
Brands or consumer safety risk If health risk Risk to consumer safety confirmed – recall
Notify media • arrange for the isolation, storage and disposal of affected stock
determine appropriate and public
course of action identified - go to required. Notify government authorities, retailers,
(if consumer • monitor the effectiveness of the food recall
next step for Product Recall other trade customers, warehouse/DC
level recall)
• prepare an interim and final post recall report for FSANZ to provide
Retailer to advise
to relevant authorities and the Minister.
manufacturer of
Retailer to receive verbal and/or written requirements for This checklist was developed as a guide only.
how and when
Retailer notification and to agree to corrective action
processes e.g. product returns new product can
recommence to
be distributed for
sale again
Contact Details for food recalls
Retailer &
Manufacturer or Retailer Manufacturer
Notify all relevant Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Government If risk to public safety is confirmed regulatory agencies, Notify public
to provide government authorities discontinue distribution Food Recall Coordinator
Authorities a recall is required wholesale and other (if necessary)
with proposed recall action of product and removal
trade customers
of product from sale P 02 6271 2610 (After hours 0412 166 965)
E food.recalls@foodstandards.gov.au
www.foodstandards.gov.au

Manufacturer/Suppliers, NSW Food Authority

Recall / Manufacturer/Supplier instigated
Retailers and Government Key stakeholders
recall/withdrawal - prepare P 1300 552 406
Withdrawal summary and recommendations
authorities to monitor distribute summaries Quality Assurance confidence
Review as required
completion and effectiveness and recommendations E contact@foodauthority.nsw.gov.au
or recall or withdrawal
www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au

FI201/1408