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How Do You Handle Product Recall Scenarios Under FSSC 22000

By August 12, 2025No Comments

How Do You Handle Product Recall Scenarios Under FSSC 22000?

Food safety is not just about prevention — it’s also about rapid, effective action when things go wrong. Under the FSSC 22000 certification scheme, handling product recalls isn’t optional — it’s a critical requirement.

So how should your food business prepare for — and manage — a recall under FSSC 22000?

Let’s break it down. 👇

📌 First: What Does FSSC 22000 Require?

  • Based on ISO 22000 + ISO/TS 22002 + FSSC additional requirements

  • Requires an established product recall & withdrawal procedure

  • Must be documented, tested, and reviewed regularly

  • Includes internal traceability, external communication, and root cause analysis

 

🧭 Key Steps in Handling a Recall (FSSC 22000-Aligned)

✅ 1. Have a Written Recall Procedure

  • Should include:

    • 📞 Notification process (internal and external)

    • 🧾 Documentation and tracking

    • 🔁 Recall execution and follow-up

    • 🧪 Root cause investigation

  • Must be accessible to all key personnel

 

🔍 2. Establish a Recall Team

  • Roles typically include:

    • QA Manager (Team Lead)

    • Production/Operations Head

    • Supply Chain Coordinator

    • PR/Customer Service

    • Legal Representative

  • Everyone must know their specific duties

 

🔗 3. Implement Full Traceability

  • Can you trace your product:

    • ⏱️ Within 4 hours or less?

    • 🧭 From raw material to finished goods and distribution?

  • Both forward and backward traceability are required

 

🧪 4. Conduct Regular Mock Recalls

  • Minimum: Once per year

  • Test:

    • How fast your team responds

    • Accuracy of traceability records

    • Communication flow

  • Document results and improvements made

 

📞 5. Notify Authorities and Stakeholders

  • Contact:

    • 🏛️ Food safety authorities (e.g. Ministry of Health)

    • 🏪 Distributors & retailers

    • 🧍Consumers (if needed)

  • Use clear, documented communication templates

 

🚛 6. Isolate and Remove the Product

  • Block movement of affected batches immediately

  • Remove from:

    • Warehouse

    • Distribution points

    • Retailers

  • Maintain evidence of withdrawal for auditors

 

🧾 7. Document Everything

  • Keep records of:

    • Affected batch numbers

    • Notification history

    • Amount retrieved vs. amount sold

    • Disposal methods

  • Required for audit trail and root cause analysis

 

🔍 8. Perform Root Cause Analysis

  • Use tools like:

    • 🪛 5 Whys

    • 🐟 Fishbone Diagram

  • Determine:

    • How the issue occurred

    • Why it wasn’t detected earlier

  • This is required for preventive action

 

🔁 9. Update Procedures & Retrain Staff

  • Update SOPs based on recall findings

  • Retrain:

    • Operators

    • Quality personnel

    • Managers

  • Keep training records as part of your compliance system

 

❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ❌ Only testing paper-based recall, not live simulations

  • ❌ Missing third-party distributor contact in communication list

  • ❌ No defined criteria for initiating recall

  • ❌ Treating recall as a “QA-only” issue

  • ❌ Not validating that all affected products are removed

📣 Final Thoughts

A strong recall plan is not a sign of failure — it’s a mark of a mature food safety system.

Under FSSC 22000, your recall preparedness must be:

  • ✅ Proactive

  • ✅ Documented

  • ✅ Tested

  • ✅ Continuously improved

 

🧠 Need Help Strengthening Your FSSC 22000 Recall System?

At CAYS Scientific, we help food manufacturers:

  • 🔎 Conduct mock recalls

  • 🧾 Audit recall documentation

  • 🛠️ Create practical, fast-response procedures

  • 🎓 Train cross-functional recall teams

📞 Book your free consultation today and make sure your recall plan holds up — before an actual crisis hits.

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