California recall rule requiring immediate notification

Frozen Food Digest, July, 2008

IARW has been informed by the California Department of Public Health that meat and poultry suppliers, distributors, brokers and processors in the state who sell products that meet the criteria for a Class I or Class II recall according to USDA guidelines must immediately notify the Department of Health and provide the department with a list of customers that have received or will receive product subject to recall.

(Class I recalls are those in which there is a reasonable probability that food will cause serious problems or fatalities, while Class II recalls are those in which there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences.) Although warehouses are not specifically mentioned in the law, and do not ordinarily sell products, the agency asserts that warehouses are included under the scope of suppliers and distributors and covered by this rule.

For further information, please see the California Health and Safety Code, Section 110806-110807, or call LJ Columbo, California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch, Tel: 1 916-650-6500.