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Food Recalls

Safe Food supports accredited Queensland businesses to carry out food recalls when needed.

Reporting a food recall

If your business needs to carry out a food recall, contact Safe Food’s Food Recall Action Officer immediately:

  • Office hours (8:30AM to 4:30PM on business days): 1800 300 815 (or +61 7 3253 9835)
  • After hours: 0427 128 979.

Safe Food can:

  • Help investigate the issue
  • Support your recall process
  • Ensure risks are managed properly
  • Help you meet regulatory requirements.

Stay informed about recalls

All consumer-level food recalls are published by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) on their website and Facebook page.

Report a Recall

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When a food recall is required

    If you suspect a product you have supplied is unsafe for consumption, you must act quickly.

    This may include issues such as:

    • contamination
    • undeclared allergens
    • incorrect or misleading labelling.

    If a product is confirmed to be unsafe, a food recall must begin immediately.

  • Your responsibilities

    All accredited primary producers and processors are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and meet legal requirements.

    This includes complying with:

    As the accreditation holder, you must investigate any potential food safety issue.

    Safe Food will support you to:

    • Carry out a thorough investigation
    • Make sure risks are identified and managed
    • Confirm there are no ongoing food safety concerns.
  • Types of food recalls

    Consumer-level recall

    A consumer-level recall is required when a product has been supplied to consumers (the public).

    This includes products sold:

    • Directly to customers
    • Through distributors
    • In supermarkets
    • In cafés or restaurants.

    Because the product is no longer under the supplier’s control, action must be taken to protect public health.

    A consumer-level recall requires:

    • Prompt public notification to warn consumers not to consume the product
    • Active steps to recover the product from the market.

    Trade-level recall

    A trade-level recall applies when the product is still under the control of the supply chain and has not reached consumers.

    This may include product held by:

    • Wholesalers
    • Distributors
    • Supermarkets
    • Manufacturers.

    Public notification is not required for trade-level recalls.

    However, you must provide a clear mass balance that shows:

    • How much product was produced
    • Where it was distributed
    • How much remains on hand.

    This evidence must confirm the product has not been made available to consumers.

    The FSANZ Food Industry Recall Protocol provides more information on how recalls are classified. 

  • How to conduct a food recall in Queensland

    1. Notify Safe Food

    The first step is to contact Safe Food.

    We will:

    • Help you decide the correct type of recall
    • Guide you through the process.

    You will begin with an initial assessment and notification. Some businesses may already have a Food Recall Plan to follow.

    You must also notify:

    • Queensland Health
    • Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

    2. Take immediate action

    Once the recall has been confirmed, you must act quickly to:

    • Stop further distribution
    • Retrieve affected product from the supply chain
    • Follow safe handling and disposal procedures.

    3. Complete a post-recall report

    After the recall, you must prepare and submit a report.

    This should:

    • Outline the actions taken
    • Confirm all product has been accounted for
    • Identify the cause of the issue
    • Document steps to prevent it happening again.

    Learn more

    For detailed guidance, refer to the FSANZ Food Recall Guide.