Food Recalls
Please note: The information contained within this Food Recall 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.
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. - see attached
- 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 . [ Full Colour Version pdf ]
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.
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.
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 .