FSSAI issues detailed guidelines on recall of food products

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked companies to put in place a proper plan to recall food products from markets, if found unsafe. Food safety regulator yesterday issued detailed guidelines on recall of food products and said that the purpose is to help food business operators to frame a proper recall plan and implement them when the situation demand.

According to FSSAI, food recalls are an appropriate method for removing or correcting marketed food products and their labelling that violate the laws administered by the regulatory authority.

Recall can be defined as an action to remove food products from market at any stage of the food chain, including that possessed by consumer, which may pose a threat to the public health or food that violate the Act.

The recovered product must be stored in an area which is separated from any other food product. Accurate records are to be kept of the amount of recovered product and the batch codes of the product recovered.

FSSAI further said the companies, which have produced unsafe products, should take steps so that the need for such recalls do not arise again in future.