Food product recall strategy

Recall may be undertaken voluntarily and at any time by manufacturer and distributors or at the request of the FDA.

Recall is generally more appropriate and affords better protection for consumers than seizure, when many lots of product have been widely distributed.

A recall strategy will address the following elements regarding the conduct of the recall:
*Depth of recall
The depth of recall is the distribution chain levels at which the recall will be aimed. If a product is not hazardous, a recall aimed only at wholesale purchases may suffice.

*Public warning
If the public health is seriously jeopardized, the recall may be designed to reach the individual consumer, often through a press release.

*Effectiveness checks
The purpose of effectiveness checks is to verify that all consignees at the recall depth specified by the strategy have received notification about the recall and have taken appropriate action.
Food product recall strategy

Recall of Unsatisfactory Products

Recall of Unsatisfactory Products
Product recall is bringing back merchandise from the distribution system because of one or more unsatisfactory characteristics.

Every food business is susceptible to potential product recall.

A satisfactory public image of businesses can be preserved during a recall of a well organized plan is implemented.

During a recall, products are recovered from distribution as a result of voluntary action by a business firm or involuntary action due to FDA action.

The basic reasons for recall are best describe in the FDA recall classifications:

Class I: As a result of a situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use or exposure to a defective product will cause a serious public health hazard including death.

Class II: As a result of a situation where the use of or exposure to a defective product may cause a temporary adverse health hazard, or where a serious adverse public health hazard (death) is remote.

Class III: As a result of a situation where use of or exposure to a defective product will not cause a public health hazard.

An example of a Class I product recall would be contaminated with toxic substance (chemical or microbial).

A Class II product recall involves products contaminated with with food infection microorganisms.

A Class III example is products that do not meet a standard of identity.
Recall of Unsatisfactory Products

Product Recall: Hazard Evaluation and Recall Strategy

Product Recall: Hazard Evaluation and Recall Strategy
Hazard Evaluation
An important step in recall procedure is to evaluate the existing hazard to determine if a recall is warranted. The company or regulatory agency should answer the following:

• Has disease or injury already occurred?

• Could exposure to humans be a health hazard?

• Asses hazard according to population of greatest risk (children, hospital, retirement communities, etc)

• Degrees of seriousness if exposed?

• Likelihood of occurrence (exposure)?

• Consequence of hazard (immediate or long term)?

• Classification of recall I, II, III

Recall Strategy
All companies should have a detailed plan to follow should the hazard evaluation warrant a recall. Some critical elements to consider in planning recall strategies are:

• The depth of recall (warehouse, wholesale, retails, consumer levels).

• Whether or not to issue a public warning, to what signet of the public the warning would be directed, and through what media (general, newspaper, TV, radio or though special groups: doctors, etc.)

• Method of recall effectiveness checks to determine how many have received the recall notice.

Product Recall: Hazard Evaluation and Recall Strategy