Food Recall Procedure

Business Name: [INSERT BUSINESS NAME] ABN: [INSERT ABN] Address: [INSERT BUSINESS ADDRESS] Date Prepared: [INSERT DATE] Review Date: [INSERT REVIEW DATE]

1. Policy Statement

[INSERT BUSINESS NAME] is committed to providing safe food to our customers. If a product is found to be unsafe or unsuitable, we will act immediately to remove it from the market. This procedure outlines the steps we will take during a food recall.

2. Recall Team

Role	Name	Phone Number	Email	Backup Contact
Recall Coordinator	[INSERT NAME]	[INSERT PHONE]	[INSERT EMAIL]	[INSERT NAME]
Media Liaison	[INSERT NAME]	[INSERT PHONE]	[INSERT EMAIL]	[INSERT NAME]
Distribution Manager	[INSERT NAME]	[INSERT PHONE]	[INSERT EMAIL]	[INSERT NAME]
Quality Assurance	[INSERT NAME]	[INSERT PHONE]	[INSERT EMAIL]	[INSERT NAME]

3. Distribution Records

We maintain up to date records of all suppliers and customers.

Primary Supplier List:

• [INSERT SUPPLIER A]: [CONTACT DETAILS]
• [INSERT SUPPLIER B]: [CONTACT DETAILS]

Wholesale Customer List:

• [INSERT CUSTOMER A]: [CONTACT DETAILS]
• [INSERT CUSTOMER B]: [CONTACT DETAILS]

4. Authority Contacts

• Local Council: [INSERT COUNCIL NAME] - [INSERT PHONE]
• State Food Authority: [INSERT AUTHORITY NAME] - [INSERT PHONE]
• ACCC: 1300 302 502
• FSANZ: [INSERT DETAILS]
• Insurer: [INSERT INSURER NAME] - [INSERT POLICY NUMBER]

5. Recall Procedure Steps

Step 1: Identify the Issue

• Receive complaint or notification.
• Investigate the product details (Name, Batch Code, Best Before Date).
• Determine if it is a safety issue or a quality issue.
• Decision made by: [INSERT ROLE]

Step 2: Risk Assessment

• Check the severity of the hazard.
• Check who is affected (e.g. infants, elderly, general public).
• Consult with: [INSERT DOCTOR OR EXPERT]

Step 3: Decision to Recall

• If the product is unsafe, initiate the recall.
• Classify the recall:
• Trade Recall: Wholesale level only.
• Consumer Recall: Public level required.
• Approval by: [INSERT ROLE]

Step 4: Notification

• Notify the relevant State or Territory food authority immediately.
• Notify the ACCC if required.
• Notify all direct customers.

Step 5: Public Communication

• Draft press release or social media post.
• Template: "URGENT RECALL: [PRODUCT NAME] due to [HAZARD]. Do not consume. Return to [ADDRESS] for a full refund. Batch codes: [CODES]."
• Distribute to media outlets and social media channels.

Step 6: Retrieval of Stock

• Stop all sales immediately.
• Isolate stock in warehouse or store.
• Contact distributors to return stock.
• Log all returned items (Quantity, Batch Code, Source).

Step 7: Disposal

• Decide method of destruction (landfill, incineration).
• Witnessed by: [INSERT NAME]
• Date of disposal: [INSERT DATE]

Step 8: Accounting and Review

• Calculate total cost and quantity recalled.
• Report final numbers to the authority.
• Hold team meeting to review the incident.
• Update this procedure if necessary.

6. Training Records

All staff involved in the recall process have been trained on this procedure.

Staff Name	Date Trained	Signature
[INSERT NAME]	[INSERT DATE]	[INSERT SIGNATURE]
[INSERT NAME]	[INSERT DATE]	[INSERT SIGNATURE]