Four classes of food recalls

Food safety is on the mind of most operators, the FDA recalled more than 8,000 food products in 2014 alone.  And this year in 2018, food recalls have become an issue for popular chains like Chipotle, Panera, and more. While not all recalls were serious health risks, it’s best to understand what each recall class stands for when developing food recall action plans.

food recallsClass 1 Recall: There is a reasonable probability the consumption of or exposure to a product will cause serious health consequences, including death.

Class 2 Recall: There is a reasonable probability the consumption of or exposure to a product may cause temporary or reversible health consequences, or the probability of serious consequences is unlikely.   

Class 3 Recall: There is reasonable probability the consumption of or exposure to a product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

Market Recall: A product has a minor violation, but is not subject to FDA legal action. The product is removed from market or the responsible firm corrects the violation.

While all FDA recalls should be handled seriously, understanding what each class of recall stands for allows for more efficient recall planning if a recalled product affects your operation.

 

food recalls