Food Safety Recalls
What is a Food Recall?
Food recalls occur when a food producer takes a product off the market because there is reason to believe that it may cause consumers to become ill. These recalls may happen for many reasons, including but not limited to:
- Discovery of organisms, including bacteria such as salmonella or parasites such as cyclospora.
- Discovery of foreign objects such as broken glass or metal.
- Discovery of a major allergen that does not appear on the product label.
What to do with a Recalled Product
If you’ve already prepared a recalled food item in your kitchen or still have it in your refrigerator, it’s important to throw out the food and clean your kitchen.
- Wash all cookware and utensils (including cutting boards) with hot soapy water
- Clear off counters and refrigerator drawers and shelves and wash with hot soapy water
- Wipe any surfaces, shelves, or drawers and rinse dishes and cookware with a sanitizing solution and let them air dry. You can use a diluted bleach solution (1 TBSP per 1 gallon of water).
- Products recalled due to an undeclared allergen may be a risk for anyone in your household with an allergy to that substance. If the product has never been served, throw it away or return it for a refund. If the product has been served, wash with soap and water any surfaces – plates, pots/pans, utensils, and counters – with which the product may have had contact.