SGS Announces Canadian Food Inspection Agency Informs on Food Recalls - Common Problems, Potential Impacts and Recommended Solutions

Fairfield, NJ, September 29, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Additionally, most firms test food recall programs at least once a year, but this is a traceability test and not a demonstration of how effective the recall program is from the perspective of companies, government and consumers.

Common Issues of Food Recall Programs

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has published the common problems, potential impacts and the recommended solutions for food recalls, to help the industry become more effective (1). There are seven areas in recall programs that CFIA states are the most common:

- Notice of the recall
- Identification of the product(s)
- Product distribution list
- Informing the government agency
- Public notifications
- Controlling the product
- Verifying the effectiveness

Common problems for recall notifications include the hazard not being described clearly, the urgency or recall level not being stated, key facts hidden by promotional information and instructions on how to handle the recall program are not provided or are vague. These errors can result in a product not being recalled, its continued use by consumers and product not being removed in a timely manner, requiring additional notifications to be sent by the company recalling the product, or a government agency.

Product Identification Failure and Food Recalls

Failure to identify all the products that are being recalled is another issue. Recall notifications must include all affected lots, sizes, brands and products affected. If this doesn’t happen, products remain in the distribution chain or consumers’ hands. Before a notification is issued, a mock recall needs to be performed to determine which product is involved, from the point of origin of the problem to its resolution. For consumer products, the Universal Product Code (UPC) should be included along with the product description.

Food Recalls Should Come Along with Distribution List

The CFIA requires firms to provide a product distribution list within 24 hours of the recall being classified. Typically, distribution lists are missing essential information, such as contact names, addresses and phone numbers.

Food Recalls - Informing the Authorities

Failure to inform, or promptly inform, the government agency of the recall is another problem. This can result in products being left in the distribution system or on the shelf and will create situations where some consumers will not be aware of the recall. Most government agencies have experienced personnel to help facilitate the removal of a recalled product and instigate programs to notify the public.

Public Recall Notifications

Some firms try to remove recall products in secret. Others don’t prepare their message to consumers ahead of time and others try to announce the recall in a manner that avoids publicity. Speed and accuracy of removal of the recalled product is essential in mitigating the hazard to the public.

Controlling the Recalled Product at All Levels of the Distribution Chain

Problems occur during or after a recall where the product recalled is accidentally shipped to customers or sold to consumers. Hence, the product may be placed on the shelves and consumed, thereby requiring another recall.

Food Recall Program and Verification of Effectiveness

After a recall has taken place, most firms do not verify its effectiveness. Following up the effectiveness of a recall notification enables a firm to judge whether any elements of it were handled poorly. If so, non-conformances can be noted, with root cause analysis and corrective actions taken. Preventative actions must also be made to improve the program in the event of a further recall.

Naturally, the best way to handle a recall is to structure a system to prevent it from happening in the first place but in the real world, mistakes happen and it is best to learn from the mistakes of others rather than making them ourselves.

Reference:

1) CFIA - RAPEX - Recall Plans - Importer’s Guide (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/safe-food-production-systems/food-recall-and-emergency-response/importers-guide/eng/1376337628284/1376337687139)

For further information please contact a SGS expert.

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.