Manufacturers urged to improve product recall plans

Law firm Roythornes has warned manufacturers to improve product recall procedures following a string of product recall incidents affecting major UK food retailers.

In the latest incident, last month (18 December) Asda recalled a range of sauce granule pots after a flavouring mix up. The product, labelled as chip shop curry flavour, was found to contain cheese sauce flavouring and, crucially, milk; an allergen.

Peter Bennett, head of the food and drink team at Roythornes, says, “This is yet another example of the growing importance of product recall planning.

“Considering the dangers posed by food and allergens in particular, as is the case with the ASDA recall, it’s vital that everyone in the supply chain has tried and tested plans in place.

“Despite this and other high profile incidents, a recent product recall survey carried out by the team at Roythornes showed that nearly a fifth of respondents (18.5%) didn’t have any product recall procedures in place.

“A further 60% did not include product recalls in their contractual agreements with suppliers.

“We would strongly advise companies to sit up and take notice of these incidents, the high profile of negative publicity they generate and the potential risks they create, and act accordingly.”