The nominated person within a food business who manages a recall, coordinating the removal of unsafe food from sale.
The nominated person within a food business who manages a recall, coordinating the removal of unsafe food from sale. A food recall coordinator is the person a food business appoints to lead its response when a product must be recalled or withdrawn. Under the national recall system administered by FSANZ, a business that supplies food is expected to have a documented recall plan, and the coordinator is the central contact who puts that plan into action. The coordinator's job is to move quickly and methodically: identifying affected batches, notifying the relevant authority, contacting customers and distributors, arranging the return or disposal of stock, and keeping records of the whole process. The role requires authority to make decisions and access to traceability information such as batch codes and distribution lists. In practice, a manufacturer or wholesaler lists the recall coordinator and a backup in its recall plan, with names, positions and contact details kept up to date. When an issue arises, the coordinator works with FSANZ and the state agency, decides on a trade-level or consumer-level recall, and drafts recall notices. For consumer-level recalls, the coordinator arranges point-of-sale notices, media or website alerts and social media posts as needed, and reports on how much affected product was recovered. Australian businesses test their recall plan periodically with a mock recall so the coordinator and staff can act fast when a real event occurs. When laboratory results flag a possible Listeria issue, a smallgoods maker's recall coordinator activates the recall plan, notifies FSANZ and the state authority, and issues a consumer recall notice listing the affected batch codes and use-by dates.
Frequently asked questions
Does every food business need a recall coordinator?
Any business that manufactures, imports or wholesales food should have a documented recall plan with a nominated coordinator, as expected under the FSANZ recall system.
What does the recall coordinator do first?
They activate the recall plan, identify the affected product and batches using traceability records, and notify FSANZ and the relevant state or territory authority.
What is the difference between a recall and a withdrawal?
A recall removes unsafe food from the supply chain and may include consumers, while a withdrawal removes food from sale for reasons that are not a safety risk, such as a labelling issue.
Should the recall plan be tested?
Yes. Businesses are encouraged to run a mock recall periodically so the coordinator and staff can confirm the plan works and traceability records are adequate.
Who does the coordinator contact during a recall?
FSANZ, the relevant state or territory food agency, and the business's customers and distributors, plus consumers directly for a consumer-level recall.
