12 replies to this topic

[jeniffer]

Dear All:

Can anobody tell me what is the diffrrence between withdrawal and recall?

Thanks in advance

[Zeeshan]

Dear All:

Can anobody tell me what is the diffrrence between withdrawal and recall?

Thanks in advance

It depends on the standard(s) to which your system is compliant (ISO 22000, BRC, ....) and your own practices. However, Withdrawl and Recall are generally defined as:

1- Withdrawal is the process of retrieving the suspected product from the distributor end.

2- Recall is the process of of retrieving the suspected product from the consumer end.

But as I said, these definitions are not standard definitions, AFAIK. ISO 22000 considers both withdrawal and recall as interchangeable terms.

Regards:
M.Zeeshan.

Edited by Zeeshan, 02 July 2010 - 11:42 AM.

[Charles.C]

Dear jeniffer,

A few more previously posted thoughts here -

http://www.ifsqn.com...ndpost__p__6392

and here -

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__15864

Rgds / Charles.C

BTW Welcome to the forum!

[V.R. Reddy]

It depends on the standard(s) to which your system is compliant (ISO 22000, BRC, ....) and your own practices. However, Withdrawl and Recall are generally defined as:

1- Withdrawal is the process of retrieving the suspected product from the distributor end.

2- Recall is the process of of retrieving the suspected product from the consumer end.

But as I said, these definitions are not standard definitions, AFAIK. ISO 22000 considers both withdrawal and recall as interchangeable terms.

Regards:
M.Zeeshan.

Dear Zeeshan,

I was under the impression that the word "Recall" is used when there is food safety issue is involved where as "withdrawal” for other issues not related to food safety for example : differences in weight or colour etc.

Or I could be wrong.

Regards

V.R. Reddy

[GMO]

Dear Zeeshan,

I was under the impression that the word "Recall" is used when there is food safety issue is involved where as "withdrawal” for other issues not related to food safety for example : differences in weight or colour etc.

Or I could be wrong.

Regards

V.R. Reddy

Well it often is recall = food safety because a food safety issue will require a recall from the consumer if the product has made it that far; however, if a food safety issue has not made it to the consumer and is still in the distribution chain, I would call that a withdrawal and likewise there have been quality, not food safety related recalls in the past, they are less common though. Likewise a withdrawal can happen without a full public recall even if the product has made it to the consumer but it depends upon the risks.

As with all of food safety, deciding on whether it should be a recall or withdrawal depends upon the old chestnut; risk assessment / likelihood matrix

High risk of consumer illness (ie food safety issue) but 100% certain it's not made it to consumer yet? = withdrawal (but you have to be 100% certain that no product has made it through, it will depend upon the size of the issue and who is in control of the stock on whether you can be sure of that I would argue.)
High risk of consumer illness (ie food safety issue) and a chance it's made it to the consumer? = recall
Low risk of consumer illness (ie quality issue) but 100% certain it's not made it to consumer yet? = withdrawal
Low risk of consumer illness (ie quality issue) and a chance it's made it to the consumer? = dependent on what the risks are, amount and (to be honest) the ethos / culture in your company (sad but true!)

Remember folks in the EU, as soon as you think you might have a food safety issue which might be on sale to consumers, you should inform the competent authorities (who may help you make the above decision lol!) In the UK this will be your EHO.

[Mária]

See please Directive 2001/95/ES. Mária

[Charles Chew]

Confusing terms but have the same objectives with differing reasons. Why not just call it product recovery and state the reasons for doing so. I guess its just like traceability - are we referring to the "front" or 'back" but objective is the same (tracing / tracking) however the reason on doing so is different again. No need to loose sleep over this!

[GMO]

Confusing terms but have the same objectives with differing reasons. Why not just call it product recovery and state the reasons for doing so. I guess its just like traceability - are we referring to the "front" or 'back" but objective is the same (tracing / tracking) however the reason on doing so is different again. No need to loose sleep over this!

Yes and no. It's political in the UK anyway. A withdrawal is bad news, a fine from the retailers etc but a recall is public news (ie even worse) and definitely talking to regulatory authorities. That's why the two terms have come into existance. It's basically "how much of a spanking am I going to get on this one?!"

[Marinaqa]

Good morning all.

 

if you read the article 19 of R178/2002, you will see how clear it is written:

"Responsibilities for food: food business operators 1. If a food business operator considers or has reason to believe that a food which it has imported, produced, processed, manufactured or distributed is not in compliance with the food safety requirements, it shall immediately initiate procedures to withdraw the food in question from the market where the food has left the immediate control of that initial food business operator and inform the competent authorities thereof. Where the product may have reached the consumer, the operator shall effectively and accurately inform the consumers of the reason for its withdrawal, and if necessary, recall from consumers products already supplied to them when other measures are not sufficient to achieve a high level of health protection."

 

withdrawal=the process of retrieving product from the distribuitor end

recall=the process of retrieving product from the consumer end.

 

Hope its clear and helps

 

Bye, 

Marina

 

 

[Charles.C]

Good morning all.

 

if you read the article 19 of R178/2002, you will see how clear it is written:

"Responsibilities for food: food business operators 1. If a food business operator considers or has reason to believe that a food which it has imported, produced, processed, manufactured or distributed is not in compliance with the food safety requirements, it shall immediately initiate procedures to withdraw the food in question from the market where the food has left the immediate control of that initial food business operator and inform the competent authorities thereof. Where the product may have reached the consumer, the operator shall effectively and accurately inform the consumers of the reason for its withdrawal, and if necessary, recall from consumers products already supplied to them when other measures are not sufficient to achieve a high level of health protection."

 

withdrawal=the process of retrieving product from the distribuitor end

recall=the process of retrieving product from the consumer end.

 

Hope its clear and helps

 

Bye, 

Marina

Hi Marina,

 

Welcome to the Forum !

 

Thks for yr quote which I guess is taken from this -

 

 CELEX_32002R0178_EN_TXT.pdf   222.87KB   65 downloads

 

But do note that the Regulation is actually  (EC) No 178/2002

 

The reality is that the interpretation of such terminologies varies with location, etc. And possibly even within the EC (Pre/Post-Brexit) due Sovereign Rights.

 

Unfortunately the OP's location was unknown.

[YSJ]

(response to quite an old post, though!) from US FDA website  http://www.fda.gov/S...s/ucm165546.htm Background and Definitions

 

Recalls are actions taken by a firm to remove a product from the market. Recalls may be conducted on a firm's own initiative, by FDA request, or by FDA order under statutory authority.

• Class I recall: a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
   
• Class II recall: a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.
   
• Class III recall: a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.
   
• Market withdrawal: occurs when a product has a minor violation that would not be subject to FDA legal action. The firm removes the product from the market or corrects the violation. For example, a product removed from the market due to tampering, without evidence of manufacturing or distribution problems, would be a market withdrawal.

[SteveHather]

Hi,

 

As noted, the definition of these terms varies from country to country and industry to industry.

 

The international standard for product recall defines a product recall as "any action taken post-production to address consumer health or safety issues associated with a product". 

 

This, at least in my view and the view of those of that wrote that standard, provides the basis for the difference between recall and withdrawal.

 

If there is a consumer health or safety risk, it is a recall. A recall can be conducted at trade level if the product has not yet made it into the consumer market - a trade recall; or if it has made it into the consumer market, it is a consumer recall. Either way a recall relates to health and safety. 

 

If no health and safety risk exists, it is a "withdrawal". A withdrawal could be done because of minor quality problems or incorrect packaging or labelling (assuming that this does not in itself create a health and safety hazard such as failing to declare an allergen which then it is a recall!). I do know of companies that conduct a "precautionary withdrawal" while they try to determine whether a health or safety risk exists. This does not make a lot of sense to me. Depending on circumstances, they should conduct a trade recall so that manufacturers stop using the ingredient and/or retailers stop selling a potentially dangerous product otherwise it just compounds the problem. That is the purpose of a robust assessment process - which unfortunately few companies have in place but that's another story!

 

Regards, Steve

[Linekela]

Thank you for this information, very informative.