Food Recalls

Please note: The information contained within this Food Recall Section does not apply outside Australia .

A food recall is defined as - action taken to remove from sale, distribution and consumption foods which may pose an unacceptable 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, the police or a health authority) and consumers.

FSANZ coordinates and monitors food recalls only within Australia. Recalls occur in consultation between FSANZ, State and Territory Health Authorities and a sponsor who is usually the product' s supplier, for example, the manufacturer or the importer.

• Food Recall Action Officers (as at 5 March 2008) - 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 - 5th Edition, June 2004.
  This publication is a reprint of the 5th Edition September 2002 but includes updates to the Contacts list.

This publication 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 offers an example of a written recall plan for a food manufacturing business, which may be used as a template or illustration of what a working plan needs to entail.  [ Full Colour Version pdf 494 kb  |  Word Version ]

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 about to conduct a food recall have two options of advising FSANZ  [ 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.. ]

Consumer Advice - What to do if you suspect a problem with food products.  There are a large number of different problems that can be associated with food products.

Product Safety Recalls (includes non food products)

Information on food recalls is also available on the Product Safety Recalls website. This website allows consumers to access information about current publicly announced safety related recalls within Australia and is coordinated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Department of the Treasury.