1.7 Handling An Outside Food Recall

Subject: Handling An Outside Food Recall

What will be done and who will do it?

New employees must:

• Review this procedure.
• Be trained by a team leader.
• Sign the training checklist.

All employees must:

• Follow all Federal, State, and local health department requirements.
• Review the food recall notice and specific instructions that have been identified in the notice.
• Inform the Recall Coordinator of the recalled product.
• Communicate the food recall notice to any affected customers.
• Hold the recalled product using the following steps:
  • Physically segregate the product, including any open containers, leftover product, and food items in current production that items contain the recalled product (refer to SOP - Process and Controls for Food Storage and Receiving).
  • If an item is suspected to contain the recalled product, but label information is not available, follow the procedure for disposal.
  • Mark recalled product “Do Not Use” and “Do Not Discard.” Inform the entire staff not to use the product.
  • Do not destroy any USDA commodity food without official written notification from the State Distributing Agency, USDA Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS), or State or local health department.
  • Identify and record whether any of the product was received in the Food Innovation Center, locate the food recall product by location, and verify that the food items bear the product identification code(s) and production date(s) listed in the recall notice.
  • Obtain accurate inventory counts of the recalled products from every location, including the amount in inventory and amount used.
  • Account for all recalled product by verifying inventory counts against records of food received at the location.

Who will make sure it's done and how?

• Team leaders are expected to continually model appropriate recall practices for employees.
• Team leaders will verify that locations have segregated and secured all recalled products.

How should problems be fixed?

• Team leaders must immediately re-train and counsel employees who are not properly following this procedure.
• Notify location staff of procedures, dates, and other specific directions to be followed for the collection or destruction of the recalled product.
• Consolidate the recall product as quickly as possible after the recall notification.
• Conform to the recall notice using the following steps:
  • Report quantity and site where product is located to manufacturer, distributor, or State agency for collection. The quantity and location of the affected USDA commodity food must be submitted to the State Distributing Agency within 10 calendars days of the recall.
  • Obtain the necessary documents from the State Distributing Agency for USDA commodity foods. Submit necessary documentation for reimbursement of food costs.
  • Complete and maintain all required documentation related to the recall including:
    • Recall notice.
    • Records of how food product was returned or destroyed.
    • Reimbursable costs.
    • Public notice and media communications.
    • Correspondence to and from the public health department and State or Federal Agency.

What records will be kept?

• Completed training checklist.
• Recall documents as outlined in this procedure.

Created(Date): 1/4/16

By: Randall Davis, Food Hub & Food Safety Coordinator

Last Revised: 8/9/18

By: Randall Davis, Food Hub Manager

Document available here - 1.7 Handling An Outside Food Recall SOP