NEW GUIDE LAUNCHED TO ASSIST FOOD INDUSTRY WITH FOOD RECALLS (AUSTRALIA ONLY)

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today launched the latest edition of the Food Industry Recall Protocol to assist the food industry on the steps to be taken when a food recall becomes necessary. This latest edition provides valuable information to food manufacturers on what to do in the event of a recall and it also sets out a template for a recall plan.

Managing Director of FSANZ, Mr Ian Lindenmayer, said that last financial year there were a total of 73 recalls during the year, of which 33 were of imported products (45%).

‘This number of recalls sets a new record. This figure is slightly higher than recent years due largely to the 12 soy sauce products recalled as a result of excessive levels of chloropropanols in some soy sauces. Many of the recalls were precautionary and almost all were initiated by food companies as part of a national food-safety strategy.

‘The increasing number of recalls reflects the greater awareness by food businesses of their obligations to act where there is any doubt about the safety of a product,’ Mr Lindenmayer concluded.

The new Food Industry Recall Protocol sets out procedures for stopping the distribution and sale of unsafe food products, notifying relevant authorities and removing food products from shelves.

The latest edition includes information that will assist industry to comply with the requirements of the Food safety Standards 3.2.2. This standard requires food businesses engaged in the wholesale supply, manufacture or importation of food to have a written recall procedure in place that ensures the effective recall of unsafe food.

The Food Industry Recall Protocol has two levels of product recall – trade recalls and consumer recalls – in place of the three previous levels (wholesale, retail and consumer).

Trade recalls involve the recovery of food products from retailers and other distribution centres, wholesalers and catering establishments such as hospitals, restaurants and other food outlets before they reach consumers. Consumer recalls involve recovery of the product from all points in the production and distribution chain, as well as consumers.

Copies of the new Food Industry Recall Protocol, 5^th Edition September 2002, can be obtained directly from FSANZ by phone 02 6271 2222, fax 02 6271 2278 or from the FSANZ website at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/recallssurveillance/foodindustryrecallprotocol5theditionseptember2002/index.cfm .

Attachment: Food Recalls 2001-2002 (FSANZ Annual Report)

Number of recalls	Reason for recall
28	Microbiological health risks, eg Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella etc.
13	Chemical contamination
13	Inclusion of foreign matter, eg glass, metal etc.
4	Processing malfunctions
7	Labelling errors, ie product includes ingredients not listed on the label and could cause an allergic reaction.
4	Biotoxin contamination
2	Products did not meet Food Standards Code requirements, eg excessive colour or lead levels
1	Choking hazard (see below)
1	Prohibited botanical