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Food recalls

Please note: the information contained within this food recalls section does not apply outside Australia.

A food recall is defined as ‘an action taken to remove from distribution, sale and consumption, food which may pose a health and safety risk to consumers'.

A food recall may be initiated as a result of reports referred from a variety of sources - manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, medical practitioners, government agencies (for example, a health authority) and consumers.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) coordinates and monitors food recalls only within Australia. Recalls occur in consultation between state and territory authorities and a sponsor who is usually the product's supplier, for example, the manufacturer or the importer.

• Food recall action officers - food recall action officers in each state and territory can be contacted on recall matters.
  
• Current consumer level recalls that have occurred over the past two months. 
  
  
• Archived consumer level recalls that have occurred over the past 12 months.
  
  
• Food Industry Recall Protocol - 6th Edition, September  2008. The Food Industry Recall Protocol is a guide for carrying out food recalls. It explains what should be done, when in the interest of public health and safety, food products should be removed from supply or use by consumers. In addition to this, the Protocol provides advice for food businesses writing a recall plan.

Food recall alerts

Food recall alerts – Australian food recall alerts are issued via email to inform the public of new consumer level recalls as well as provide updates on changes to food recall action officers in Australian states and territories.

Please subscribe to our subscription service to receive these.

Notification of recall to FSANZ

Companies should advise FSANZ by telephone before they conduct a food recall [ more ... ]

Recall advertisement template

The advertisement template provides assistance to companies drafting a food recall press advertisement. The advertisement should be approved by FSANZ prior to publication. [ more.. ]

Food recall statistics

As the Authority responsible for the coordination and monitoring of food recalls in Australia, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has collected statistics on Australian food recalls since 1990. This information includes the causes of all recalls as well as identifying their origins. [ more.. ]

Food complaints

In Australia, investigation of food complaints is undertaken by state and territory authorities or your local council. [ more.. ]

Product safety recalls (includes non food products)

Information on food recalls is also available on the Product Safety Recalls website and the ACCC iPhone app. Consumers can access information about current publicly announced safety related recalls within Australia. It is coordinated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.