Guidance on food traceability, withdrawals and recalls within the UK food industry
On 7th January the Food Standards Agency (FSA) published their consultation on new guidance setting out the roles and responsibilities of the key stakeholders involved in food safety withdrawals and recalls in the UK. It also provides advice on good practice on the following areas to help food businesses to comply with food safety requirements.
The guidance includes advice on:
- traceability systems
- making a decision to withdraw or recall food
- the roles and responsibilities of those involved
- how to plan for and manage a food safety withdrawal or recall
- the key principles to effectively inform consumers of a food recall, including a template for a point of sale notice for use in retail stores
Philip Randles, Head of Incidents and Resilience at the Food Standards Agency, said:
‘This guidance has been created with food businesses in mind, to help them carry out food safety withdrawals and recalls with greater ease and effectiveness. It’s been developed in partnership with representatives from the food industry, enforcement authorities and consumer organisations and is a key outcome from our joint review with Food Standards Scotland of the UK’s current system.
‘We would welcome feedback. The responses we receive will help us to make sure the guidance is beneficial and helpful to businesses in the event of a food safety incident.’
Hazel Langley, one of the Food Standards Agency’s Campaign Partners and founder of the e-learning brokerage service, Induction Junction, said:
‘Whilst there have been no changes made to food policy, science or law, I would strongly encourage those smaller food business operators, who may not have received notification of this consultation directly, to read and take advantage of this opportunity to be involved in shaping the type of advice and guidance available.’
The research and evidence gathering phase of the review which followed the publication of the Lynn Faulds Wood review of the UK’s systems for the recall of unsafe products, found that whilst strengths of the existing system were recognised, the key findings of the research revealed significant opportunities to strengthen and improve its overall effectiveness and resilience.
The FSA’s Consultation Pack can be found below. Please respond by email, by close of play 4th February 2019 to Debbie.sharpe@food.gov.uk
Use this link to find online Level 1, 2 or 3 Food Hygiene and Safety training or contact Induction Junction today.
