FDA & USDA Recall Notices
The following links provide direct access to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recalls, market withdrawls and safety alerts. Both sites offer email notification service.
FDA recalls, market withdrawls and safety alerts.
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recalls.
What is a recall; and numbers of recalls in Utah.
WHAT IS A RECALL?
A food recall is a voluntary action by a manufacturer or distributor to protect the public from products that may cause health problems or possible death. A recall is intended to remove food products from commerce when there is reason to believe the products may be adulterated or misbranded. Recall notifications are issued by the business. The FDA and the USDA assist in getting the notices distributed to stakeholders, including the general public.
Neither the FDA nor the USDA can order a recall. All recalls are, therefore, voluntary.
When a recalled product might be in Utah, the Utah Department of Agriculture alerts epidemiologists at the Utah Department of Health. UDAF Environmental Health Scientists contact the grocers in Utah to make sure they are aware of the recall and to find out how much of the product is in the state.
The food establishments generally have very good recall response systems and take the initiative to make sure the affected product is taken off the shelves. In the rare event that an establishment refuses to remove affected product, the UDAF has authority to embargo the product so that it cannot be sold.
In some cases UDAF will conduct a recall effectiveness check to actually measure the quality of the recall system.
Posted August, 2009