Guidelines for Food Recall[Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulation, 2017]

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Guidelines for Food Recall[Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulation, 2017]

				By: YAGAY andSUN
				February 24, 2025
All Articles by: YAGAY andSUN View Profile

Contents

The Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulation, 2017 issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) provides a framework for food recall in cases where food products are found to be unsafe, substandard, or harmful to consumers. The regulations aim to ensure food safety by setting guidelines for the identification, removal, and disposal of unsafe food products from the market.

Here’s a summary of the guidelines for food recall as per the Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulation, 2017:

1. Definition of Food Recall:

Food recall refers to the removal of unsafe or non-compliant food products from the supply chain (e.g., distribution, retail, and consumption) due to a safety concern.

2. Initiation of Recall:

A recall can be initiated under the following circumstances:

FSSAI Directive: If FSSAI directs the food business operator (FBO) to recall a product due to safety concerns.
Self-Initiated Recall: If an FBO identifies that their product is unsafe or non-compliant with food safety standards.
Recalls from Export Destinations: If the product is found unsafe in other countries and needs to be recalled back to India.

3. Categories of Recalls:

The Food Recall Procedure classifies food recall into different levels depending on the severity of the issue:

Class I Recall: High-risk, where there is a direct health risk to consumers (e.g., contamination with pathogens or harmful chemicals).
Class II Recall: Moderate risk, where the product may cause harm but the risk is not immediate or severe (e.g., improper labeling, incorrect nutritional claims).
Class III Recall: Low risk, where the product is unlikely to pose significant health hazards, but it does not meet food safety standards.

4. Steps in Food Recall:

Identification of Affected Product: The FBO must identify all affected products, including batch numbers, expiry dates, and other identifiers.
Notification: The FBO must notify FSSAI about the recall, including the reason for recall, product details, affected markets, and other relevant information.
Recall Plan: The FBO is required to have a clear and effective recall plan that includes:
- Procedures for withdrawal of the product from the supply chain.
- Documentation of communication with retailers, distributors, and consumers.
- Tracking the quantity and distribution of the affected products.
- Identification of potential risks to consumer health.
Communication: Clear communication is required with all stakeholders, including:
- Consumers (through notices, media, or websites).
- Retailers and distributors (to remove the product from shelves).
- Regulatory bodies (FSSAI, state authorities).
Product Retrieval: The FBO must retrieve the affected product from distribution channels and consumers’ hands. This includes returning goods from retail stores, warehouses, and any other place where they may have been distributed.
Destruction/Disposal: In cases where the product cannot be reused or relabelled, it must be safely destroyed or disposed of as per the regulations.
Corrective Actions: After recalling the product, the FBO should take corrective actions to prevent recurrence, which may include process improvements, training, or adjustments to quality control systems.

5. Record Keeping:

The FBO is required to maintain detailed records of the recalled products, including batch numbers, quantity, distribution channels, consumer complaints, and corrective actions.
These records must be readily available for inspection by FSSAI or other authorities.

6. Reporting to FSSAI:

The FBO must submit a Food Recall Report to FSSAI, providing information such as the nature of the issue, scope of the recall, and remedial actions taken.
If the recall is of national or large-scale significance, FSSAI may issue public notifications to inform consumers.

7. Recall Effectiveness Verification:

The FBO is required to verify that the recall was effective. This involves checking if the product has been withdrawn from all affected locations and ensuring that consumers have been informed.
If a product is not returned or destroyed within a reasonable time frame, further actions may be needed.

8. Responsibilities of Food Business Operators:

Traceability: FBOs must ensure traceability of their food products in the supply chain.
Product Testing: FBOs must carry out routine tests to ensure that products comply with food safety standards and have a system in place for detecting non-compliance.
Notification and Cooperation: FBOs must fully cooperate with FSSAI, health authorities, and other regulators during the recall process.

9. Penalties for Non-Compliance:

If an FBO fails to follow the recall procedure or does not comply with FSSAI’s directions, penalties and legal actions can be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

10. Public Awareness:

FSSAI may issue public notifications about the recalled product, and the FBO must also take measures to communicate with the public about any risks associated with consuming the recalled products.

Conclusion: The Food Recall Procedure Regulation, 2017 ensures that food products found to be unsafe are promptly removed from the market, minimizing risks to consumer health. It sets clear guidelines for food businesses to follow in order to effectively handle recalls and ensure consumer safety.

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