Food safety and animal feed incidents

As a result of a food incident, you may need to recall or withdraw a food product. It is important to plan ahead and have procedures in place so you can act quickly if a recall or withdrawal is required. 

What are food withdrawals and recalls?

A withdrawal is when unsafe food is removed from the supply chain before it has reached consumers. 

A recall is when unsafe food is removed from the supply chain and consumers are advised to take appropriate action, for example, to return or dispose of the unsafe food.

Withdrawals and recalls guidance

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has produced guidance to explain what the law requires and what businesses need to do if they experience a food incident. The guidance includes advice and best practice on: 

• traceability systems  
• making a decision on carrying out a withdrawal or recall  
• roles and responsibilities
• how to inform consumers of a food recall

Find the FSA's guidance on food raceability, withdrawals and recalls within the UK food industry. Additional resources are also available to help you carry out a recall, including sample decision logs, notification templates, best practice examples and more.