Top Food Recall Questions Answered

By: Hilary Thesmar, PhD, RD, FMI Vice President, Food Safety Programs, Food Marketing Institute

To celebrate September, National Food Safety Education Month, FMI recently joined forces with the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Institute and the Partnership for Food Safety Education for a Twitter chat using #FoodSafety365. Here are answers to the top questions about food recalls:

Why does a food recall happen?

SQF Institute: There are three main food recall reasons:  a biohazard like Listeria, allergens or other chemical hazards are found, or a physical hazard is found. Having a food safety plan in place reduces food recalls.

FMI: Remember, a food recall is not a failure. It's admitting something went wrong and taking responsibility. Managing a recall successfully depends on preparation and communication that is fast, accurate and complete.

Partnership for Food Safety Education: Here are some consumer recall rules: 1) spread the word and 2) check your home for the item. Less than 60 percent of Americans check for the item in their home. Learn more on our Recall Basics webpage. 

What systems do grocery stores have in place for food recalls?

SQF Institute: For suppliers, within 24 hours they should notify their Certification Body, SQFI and retailers of any issues.

FMI: Most retailers remove product from shelves within two hours after learning about a recall. Grocery stores use different methods to notify consumers of recalls. The circumstance of a food recall often determines how a store handles informing its customers.

Partnership for Food Safety Education: At home, identify any recalled products. Match identifying marks on the product with the recall notice and contact the store where the suspected product was purchased. Learn more on our Recall Basics webpage.  

Food safety experts live food safety 365. Visit www.FMI.org/FoodSafety365 for food safety resources.