What is a food recall?

A food recall is the action taken by a Food Business Operator (FBO) to remove a food that does not comply with the Food Act 2022 or regulations made thereunder from the food supply chain. All FBOs must be able to quickly remove the food from the market to protect the health and safety of the public.

Whom to inform in case of food recall?

Where an FBO has reason to believe that a food which he has processed, manufactured, imported, distributed, or sold does not comply with the Food Act 2022 or regulations made thereunder, he shall forthwith inform the Supervising Officer (SO) of the Ministry of Health and Wellness in writing and initiate procedures to withdraw the food from the market. He shall also inform the public of the particular food or type of food to be recalled or disposed of, the reason why the food is considered unsafe, the circumstance under which the consumption of the food is unsafe; and the procedures for disposing of the food.

What is the procedure when the Supervising Officer requires a Food Business Operator to recall a food?

Where the SO requires an FBO to recall a food from the market, the FBO shall forthwith remove the food from the market and not later than 2 days after the withdrawal, inform the SO accordingly.

What happens when a Food Business Operator fails to recall a food?

Where an FBO is required by a recall order to carry out a recall and fails to do so satisfactorily within the time prescribed in the order, the SO may take steps to implement the recall order and the person or entity shall be charged with the costs incurred by the SO in implementing the recall order.