Food safety

Food Recalls

A food recall is action taken by a food business to remove unsafe food from distribution, sale and consumption. All food businesses must be able to quickly remove food from the marketplace to protect public health and safety. FSANZ coordinates and monitors food recalls in Australia. FSANZ cannot order or force a recall because it has no enforcement powers. These powers rest with the jurisdictions. However most recalls are initiated by food businesses.

Food recalls generally occur for three main reasons:

  1. Undisclosed allergens (eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts…)
  2. Bacterial contamination (e-coli, bacillus cereus, listeria…)
  3. Incorrect use-by date

Related recalls

16 MAY 2021

Cale and Daughters Pty Ltd — Plant Asia Vegan Ribs with Plum Sauce 300g

16 MAY 2021

Yummy Snack Foods Pty Ltd — Blends of Nuts, Chocolate and Confectionery Products

29 APR 2021

Yours Truly Chocolates — Bondi Protein Co Vegan Protein Bar 60g, Chocolate Flavour and Salted Caramel Flavour

25 APR 2021

Naturally Good Products Pty Ltd — Naturally Good Super Paleo Breakfast Biscuits 150g, Lemon Chia Flavour, Maple Hemp Flavour and Vanilla Flax Flavour

25 APR 2021

Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd — Coles Tasmanian Smoked Salmon 150g

18 APR 2021

Destination Holdings Pty Ltd — Taylor Rd IGA Pork Chipolatas 500g (approximately)

ACCC also has the power to recall food items

The ACCC can also initiate recalls if the health and safety of the public is deemed to be at risk. For example in the case of Mini Jelly Cups containing KONJAC which are now banned in Australia., due to the fact that this thickener does not dissolve easily when ingested.