Current food recalls
Current food recalls
Consumer level recalls are published by Food Standards Australian New Zealand (FSANZ) via their website, and through social media channels.
What is a food recall?
A food recall is action to remove from distribution, sale and consumption, food which is unsafe. This means food that may cause illness or other physical harm to a person consuming the food. A food recall may occur:
- because of a report or complaint from manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, government or consumers
- as a result of a food business conducting internal testing and auditing.
The three primary objectives of a food recall are to:
- stop the distribution and sale of the product as soon as possible
- inform the government, the food businesses that have received the recalled food and the public (for consumer level recalls only) of the problem
- remove unsafe product from the marketplace.
A recall notification regarding a product sold from a food business will have details regarding the product affected (e.g. food type, brand name, package description and size, batch number, flavour line or similar identification). It will also include information on what to do with the product.
Types of food recalls
Recalls occur in consultation between government authorities and a sponsor (usually the manufacturer or the importer).
The recall will be one of two recall levels depending on how, and how widely, the food has been distributed.
Trade recall
A trade recall is conducted when the food has not been sold directly to consumers. It involves recovery of the product from distribution centres and wholesalers. It may also involve recovery of product from hospitals, restaurants and other catering establishments.
Consumer recall
A consumer recall is the most extensive type of recall. It involves recovery of the food product from all points in the production and distribution chain including recovery of product in the possession of consumers.
More information
Food Standards Australia New Zealand