Food Safety Recalls and Multistate Outbreaks

When a food is recalled, the announcement will list the specific product(s), the lot number(s) or best-if-used-by date(s) involved, and the state(s) where the food was sent. If everything matches and you indeed have a recalled product, the announcement will provide instructions on what to do next (for example, whether to double-bag and discard or return it to the store). The manufacturer often provides a phone number that consumers can call to obtain more information or ask questions. Some manufacturers provide refunds for the product(s) recalled or a coupon to purchase another product they manufacture.

A food recall occurs when there is reason to believe that a food may cause consumers to become ill. Typically, a food manufacturer or distributor initiates a recall to remove foods from the market. However, at times, it is necessary for the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) or the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to request that a food be recalled.

Some reasons for recalling food include:

• Discovery of an organism in a product that may make consumers sick
• Discovery of a potential allergen in a product
• Mislabeling or misbranding of food

A foodborne outbreak occurs when two or more unrelated individuals contract the same illness from consuming the same food or drink. Most outbreaks occur at the local level and are investigated by local public health officials. However, when a foodborne outbreak involves a product that has been distributed widely, multiple state and federal public health agencies may become involved.

This video sums it up nicely.