Rutherford offers a cost effective and comprehensive range of food safety and training SOLUTIONS to effectively reduce food safety risks in the daily operation of a food business.

You can find the most recent food recalls from the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Product Recalls Australia website.

What is a product recall?

Significant food poisoning outbreaks will often be reported in the media. This may be due to the large number of people affected, such as on a cruise ship or at a food fair, or unfortunately because a person has died.

When a food poisoning outbreak is identified, or a manufacturer discovers a potential food safety risk in a food product, it is required that the manufacturer issues a product recall. This ensures that all contaminated products are stopped from being sold and that people do not consume the products.

Product recalls for consumer products are usually displayed or advertised in the media:

• print media (newspapers)

• on radio (during a news bulletin)

• on television (during a news bulletin)

• at the point of sale (on a notice board at the supermarket)

The product recall notice usually contains the following information:

• the product that is being recalled (name, brand name, etc.)

• the contaminant or problem with the food (microbe contamination, physical contamination, etc.)

• the specific product identification (use by date, batch number, weight, etc.)

• what to do with the product and contact information

Everyone involved with food handling must be aware of product recalls and should know what to do in their workplace when dealing with a recalled product.