Recall Plan

Product Recall plan:

1. Company receives product defect information, which would include product batch number, either from AVA or from QA department in the company.

2. Company needs to tell the local authority regarding the hazard in the food product within 24 hours after receiving the defect information.

3. Determine the classification of the necessary recall plan based on the potential hazard of the defective product, whereby it can be classified as class I, II or III, after consultation with local authority. USDA (When product is exported) or AVA (In Singapore)

Class I recall:
Carried out when there is a high chance that the defect product could cause health hazard situation which would result in health problems or death to the users. An example would be when ready-to-eat food is contaminated by pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, which would cause foodborne illness when product is consumed.
Class II recall:
Carried out when the defect product might cause potential health hazard situation to the users where there is a low chance to cause adverse health consequences from eating the food. An example would be labeling error on packaging of food product which fails to meet the local regulation and might cause hazard to users. For example, did not label egg in the ingredient list when egg is actually used in the food product.
Class III recall:
Carried out when the defect product will not cause adverse health consequences to the users. An example would be minor labeling error on packaging of food product which fails to meet the local regulation but are unlikely to cause hazard to users.

Taken from http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Food_Safety_Education/Ask_Karen/index.asp?WhatUserSaid=What+does+it+mean+when+a+recall+is+designated+Class+I%2C+Class+II%2C+or+Class+III%3F#Question

4. Determine the level of recall needed to be carried out whereby there are 3 levels of recall, namely wholesale, retail and consumer, after discussion with USDA or AVA.

Since we are selling directly to supermarkets for sale, recall to retail level as well as consumer would be carried out.

5. Should a recall is necessary after discussion:
- Inform the affected distributors to cease all sales of defective products through verbal communication first and followed by recall letter (GL2/001)
- Distributors are to quarantine all the defective stocks first
- Inform the public through press release within 24 hours
- Arrangement for collection of defective stocks from affected distributors for collation and quarantine in warehouse
- Complete the recall and submit full recall report (RR2/005 to AVA recall officer within 3 weeks from the date of initiation of recall
- Submit proof of action taken on recalled stocks (Re-export documents or Certificate of destruction) within 3 months from the date of completion of recall
- Submit proposal of corrective actions to AVA for approval
- Carry out the corrective actions on approval by AVA