The Food Industry Recall Protocol (Protocol) provides information on recalling food in Australia and guidance for food businesses on developing a written food recall plan.

A food recall is action taken to remove from distribution, sale and consumption, food which is unsafe. This means food that may cause illness or other physical harm to a person the food.

The three primary objectives of a food recall are to:

Stop the distribution and sale of the product as soon as possible

Inform the government, the food businesses that have received the recalled food and the public (consumer level recalls only) of the problem

Effectively and efficiently remove unsafe product from the market place.

This Protocol provides guidance only and is not legally binding; however it outlines legal requirements relating to food recalls that are enforceable by the state and territory governments. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) developed the Protocol in consultation with Australian state and territory governments and the food industry.

Recall systems should be tailored to the individual needs of a food business. A business may seek independent advice (including legal advice) about the system it develops for food recalls.

This Protocol does not apply to recalls conducted in New Zealand. The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (NZ MPI) coordinates recalls in New Zealand. FSANZ and the NZ MPI liaise regularly on food recalls to establish whether any food subject to a recall has been exported to Australia or New Zealand.