The Food Standards Agency (FSA) updated its recalls and alerts publication on 7 July 20261. The guidance applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales1.
The FSA sets out the reasons a food product may be recalled. These include contamination with pathogens such as listeria or salmonella that could cause food poisoning, and manufacturing faults such as plastic or metal being found in the product1. Incorrect or missing allergen information can also lead to an allergen recall1. The FSA states that food businesses are responsible for recalling products that are unsafe, and that it works closely with local authorities and the food industry to publish alerts to consumers when food products are recalled1.
The publication also describes the FSA's subscription service. The FSA says that when signed up, "you will be notified anytime we publish a product recall"1. Recall notifications include information about what the risk is and advice about what to do if the product has been bought1. A separate allergy alerts sign-up provides information about allergy related recalls, with the same detail on risk and advice1.
"Food businesses are responsible for recalling products that are unsafe."
Why it matters for households
The guidance covers households in England, Northern Ireland and Wales1. It sets out the routes by which the FSA publicises recalls: its alerts service, which notifies subscribers whenever a product recall is published, and a separate allergy alerts service for allergy related recalls1. Both include information on the risk and on what to do if the product has been bought1. The FSA also publishes a list of recent food product recalls and a list of recent allergy alerts1. The publication does not state what changed in this update, and this has not been reported1.
What happens next
No further dates are given in the updated publication1. Households can read the FSA's guidance on food safety and recalls for the wider context on food risks at home1.
Sources (1)
- Recalls and alerts - GOV.UK, gov.uk
