About Food Recalls

Causes of Food Recalls

Some of the most common reasons foods are recalled include:

  • Testing of the product finds contaminants that could be harmful if eaten.
  • Disease outbreak investigation traces the illnesses to a particular food.
  • Product was not properly made according to food processing laws.
  • Contaminated food ingredient used in many products which leads to multiple recalls.
  • Product mislabeled, mispackaged, or contains an undeclared allergen. For example, a food may contain nuts, a common allergen for many people, but that ingredient was not listed on the label.

How To Find Out About Food Recalls

In cooperation with the regulating government agency, food recalls are typically issued by the company that makes or distributes the food. Recall notices can be found in the news, at your local grocery store, or online on company or government websites.

Identifying a Recalled Product in Your Home

Match identifying details such as product name, brand, UPC or product code, and product weight or size with the recall notice details. If the product details don't match the recall notice details, then there is no need to be concerned or to take action.

If You Have a Recalled Product

  • Don't eat the product.
  • Don't provide the product to others (such as giving it to a food bank).
  • Don't feed pets with the product - they can become sick just like you.
  • Don't puncture or open cans.
  • Return the product to the store for a refund.
  • If the store refund isn't an option, dispose of the product following the instructions provided in the recall notice to make sure it won't be eaten by anyone.

If you or your family doesn't have food allergies, you may choose to keep and eat a product that was recalled because of allergen concerns. To be safe, write or make a note on the product saying why it was recalled just in case a guest with food allergies comes over to eat.

Expanded Recalls

Occasionally recalls are expanded to include additional products as more information is gathered. For example, say peanuts processed at a certain facility are recalled. Further investigation finds that the peanuts were shipped elsewhere and used as an ingredient in multiple products. The recall would then expand and include all these other products.

Related Products

When a certain product is recalled that doesn't mean all related forms of that product are a potential problem. Recalls can be very limited and specific. That's why it's important to identify the brand and product name, and also the code, size, and dates to confirm you have a product that really is recalled.

Questions About Recalls

  • Contact the company who issued the recall. Company information is often listed on the recall news release posted on the FDA or USDA website.
  • FDA Food Safety: 1-888-723-3366
  • USDA Food Safety (for meat and poultry products): 1-888-674-6854

Reporting a Foodborne Illness

Notify Us About a Foodborne Illness or a Food Safety Concern