Food Recall in India: Overview and FSSAI Guidelines

[YAGAY andSUN]

Food recall is a critical process in ensuring food safety and protecting consumers from products that may pose a health risk. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plays a key role in regulating food safety and ensuring that unsafe or contaminated food products are removed from the market promptly.

Introduction to Food Recall

A food recall refers to the removal of food products from the market when they are found to be unsafe for consumption. This process can be initiated by a food business operator (FBO), regulatory authorities like the FSSAI, or at the request of the consumer if a food product is identified as hazardous, contaminated, or adulterated. Food recalls are typically initiated due to risks such as:

• Contamination with pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses)
• Presence of undeclared allergens
• Use of contaminated ingredients or packaging
• Violation of safety standards or legal regulations

The purpose of a food recall is to protect consumer health by removing products that could cause harm. In India, the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is responsible for overseeing food safety standards and managing the recall process.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

The legal and regulatory framework for food recalls in India is governed primarily by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulation, 2017. Here's a breakdown:

1. Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006:
   • This act established the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and set the foundation for food safety regulation in India.
   • The act lays down food safety standards and ensures that all food products are safe for human consumption.
2. The Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulation, 2017:
   • This regulation outlines the procedure for food recalls, including the roles of manufacturers, distributors, and regulatory authorities in managing recalls.
   • It is aimed at ensuring that food products that pose a risk to health are swiftly removed from the market.

FSSAI Guidelines on Food Recall

The FSSAI Food Recall Guidelines are designed to guide food businesses and regulatory authorities in ensuring the proper handling of food recalls. The key aspects include:

1. Roles and Responsibilities:
   • Food Business Operators (FBOs): FBOs are required to identify and recall products that are unsafe. They must notify the FSSAI and relevant authorities as soon as a potential food safety risk is identified.
   • FSSAI: The authority monitors and oversees the recall process, ensuring that the recall is executed effectively and that consumer safety is protected.
   • Other Stakeholders: This includes distributors, retailers, and consumers, all of whom play a part in implementing the recall.
2. Risk Assessment:
   • A risk assessment should be conducted to evaluate the potential hazard posed by the food product and decide on the extent of the recall (whether it is a minor, limited, or widespread recall).
   • The severity of health risks (acute toxicity, allergens, contamination, etc.) will determine the urgency and extent of the recall.
3. Recall Communication:
   • Clear communication is essential. The FSSAI guidelines emphasize the need for effective communication strategies to notify consumers, retailers, and distributors of the recall.
   • Public warnings, media releases, and other forms of communication are used to alert the public to the issue.
4. Recall Documentation and Reporting:
   • FBOs must maintain detailed records of the recall process, including the steps taken, communications, and quantities of recalled products.
   • A report must be submitted to FSSAI regarding the actions taken and the final outcome of the recall.
5. Verification of Recall:
   • After the recall, FSSAI or the concerned authorities verify whether the affected products have been effectively removed from the market and that the recall process has been properly implemented.

Procedure for Food Recall (FSSAI - 2017)

The Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulation, 2017 provides a comprehensive framework for carrying out a food recall in India. The procedure is as follows:

1. Identification of Risk:
   • The process begins when a potential food safety issue is identified (e.g., contamination, mislabeling, etc.). This could be based on consumer complaints, internal quality control tests, or regulatory inspections.
2. Immediate Action by the FBO:
   • Once the problem is identified, the Food Business Operator (FBO) must immediately take corrective action. This includes stopping the sale and distribution of the product and beginning the process of recalling the affected products from retailers, distributors, and consumers.
3. Notification to FSSAI:
   • The FBO must notify the FSSAI and other concerned authorities (state food safety authorities, health departments, etc.) about the issue within a specific time frame. The notification should include details about the product, the nature of the issue, and the recall strategy.
4. Recall Classification:
   • The recall is classified based on the severity of the risk:
     • Class I: Immediate threat to health (e.g., contamination with pathogens).
     • Class II: Potential health hazard that requires corrective action (e.g., presence of undeclared allergens).
     • Class III: Products not likely to cause harm but require removal from the market (e.g., mislabeling).
5. Recall Implementation:
   • The FBO must take immediate steps to retrieve the affected products from the market, including notifying distributors, retailers, and consumers.
   • Communication channels like media announcements, social media, and customer notification systems are used to spread the recall notice.
6. Post-Recall Monitoring:
   • Once the recall is underway, the FSSAI or concerned authorities monitor the effectiveness of the recall. FBOs are required to keep detailed records of how many products have been retrieved, and the FSSAI may conduct inspections to verify compliance.
7. Final Reporting:
   • After the recall, the FBO must submit a detailed report to the FSSAI on the actions taken, the outcome of the recall, and any preventive measures implemented to prevent future incidents.
8. Corrective Actions:
   • The FBO is required to implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence of the issue. This may involve improving quality control measures, revising packaging or labeling, or enhancing safety checks.

Key Points to Remember

• FSSAI Role: FSSAI plays a critical role in overseeing food recalls, ensuring public safety, and regulating the process.
• Food Business Operators: FBOs are responsible for initiating recalls and ensuring that all affected products are retrieved from the market.
• Consumer Safety: The primary objective of food recall procedures is to protect consumers from potentially harmful food products.
• Compliance: Strict compliance with the recall regulations is necessary to ensure that products posing a risk are effectively removed and the public is informed.

Links and Resources

• Click here for the Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulation, 2017  size:( 1.22 MB)
• Click here Guidelines for Food Recall. (Uploaded on: 28.11.2017)  size:( 0.34 MB)

• Minutes of Meeting with Industry Stakeholders on the implementation of Recall Guidelines held on 01 Feb 2018.  size:( 0.85 MB)
• Letter issued regarding submission of Recall Team and Recall Plan by 200 Food Companies.  size:( 6.41 MB)

Conclusion

Food recall is an essential mechanism in food safety management to protect consumers from unsafe or contaminated products. The Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulation, 2017 provides a structured approach to carrying out recalls, with clear roles and responsibilities for FBOs, regulatory authorities, and other stakeholders. By adhering to the FSSAI guidelines and following the recall procedure, businesses can ensure that food products are safe, and consumer health is protected.