Facts About Food Product Recalls

The action of food product recalls is occurring more often, leaving consumers concerned about their safety. Many consumers are unaware what food product recalls mean. Recalls fall under several categories defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A Class I recall is set for products that have the potential to cause a serious health problem, or death. A Class II recall is set for products that may cause a temporary health problem, only posing a slight risk. A Class III recall involves a product that is not likely to cause any adverse health problems.

Another type of recall set in place is a market withdrawal. A market withdrawal occurs when a firm removes a product from the market due to a minor violation, which would not be subject to legal action from the Food and Drug Administration. Product recalls are necessary so that companies can limit their liability for any corporate negligence. Legal penalties are costly, and the publicity caused by a recall can damage a company's reputation.

Unsafe products can be discovered in a variety of different ways. The distributor or manufacturer of a product usually will be the first to alert The Food Safety and Inspection Service if a problem is discovered. Problems may also first be detected through sample testing programs, field inspectors, and food program investigators.

The most common forms of foodborne illness include E. coli, Salmonella, Botulism, Listeria, Campylobacter, and Norovirus. All of these forms of foodborne illness have been proven to be dangerous and will always set forth a food recall.

Meat and poultry product recalls are handled through a press release, and a Recall Notification Report. The press release is usually spread through news resources quickly, reaching out to consumers who may have purchased the specific product being recalled. Details in both the press release and recall notification report will include a complete description of the product being recalled. In most cases there will be specific identification codes which will reveal where the product was produced, manufactured, and distributed. The report will also include which type of recall is set, explaining the potential health risks involved. The Retail Notification Report will also include contact information for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, as well as the company recalling the product.

It is important to stay informed of what products may pose risk to your health. There are plenty of resources available to determine which products are being recalled, when they are being recalled, and for what reason. If you have a product in your possession that has been recalled, you should immediately return the product to the place of purchase.