H > Food Recalls

Food Recalls

Safe Food plays an important role in supporting accredited Queensland businesses to conduct food recalls when necessary.

If you suspect your business may need to conduct a recall, contact our Food Recall Action Officer immediately:

Mark Chan
📞 (07) 3253 9835

📞 After hours: 0427 128 979

We can assist with the investigation process and help ensure all risks are properly managed and regulatory requirements are met.

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

For the latest food recall alerts visit the FSANZ Australian food recall alerts page. You can also register to receive recall alerts directly from FSANZ.

Report a Recall

More Information for Businesses

When do I need to conduct a food recall?

If you suspect a product you’ve supplied is unsafe for consumption, such as due to contamination, undeclared allergens or incorrect labelling, you will need to conduct a food recall. Recalls must happen immediately upon determining product to be unsafe.
Who is responsible for conducting food recalls?

All accredited primary producers and processors are responsible for ensuring their product meets food safety requirements and complies with the Food Standards Code, Food Production (Safety) Act and Regulations. As the accreditation holder, it is your duty to conduct an investigation. Safe Food will support you in ensuring your investigation is satisfactory and that there are no further unmanaged risks.
What are the different types of food recalls?

Consumer-level food recalls where a product has been supplied and purchased by consumers (the public). This includes products that may have been sold directly or indirectly—such as through distributors, supermarkets, cafés, or restaurants. As the product is no longer under the control of the supplier, a consumer-level recall requires prompt public notification to warn consumers that the product is unsafe and should not be consumed. It also involves actively recovering the product from the market to prevent further sales and/or consumption.

Trade-level food recalls where the product can be accounted for and is still within the control of the supplier—such as a wholesaler, distributor, supermarket, or manufacturer—and has not yet reached consumers. In this case, public notification is not required. However, a detailed mass balance must be provided to account for all affected product that was produced, distributed, and remains on hand. This evidence is necessary to demonstrate that the product has not been made available to consumers and that a trade-level recall is appropriate.

Public notification is not required for trade-level recalls but is necessary for consumer-level recalls to protect public health. For more information on how recalls are classified, visit the FSANZ Food Industry Recall Protocol.
How do I conduct a food recall in Queensland?

The first step in conducting a food recall is to notify Safe Food. We will help you determine which level recall you need to conduct and guide you through the process. You will follow a structured procedure including an initial assessment and notification process. Some businesses may already have a Food Recall Plan in place.

You will also need to notify Queensland Health and FSANZ.

Once this initial process is complete, you will take immediate action to retrieve all recalled food from your distribution chain and follow proper disposal and handling procedures.

Finally, you will develop and submit a post-recall report to outline the precise steps taken as part of the recall and document lessons learned to prevent future incidents.

For more information on conducting a food recall, refer to the FSANZ food recall guide.