Recent figures from the NVWA (the Dutch Food Safety Authority) provide insight into the most frequent causes of product recalls in the Netherlands. Data shows that microbiological contamination, undeclared allergens, labeling errors, and foreign material contamination continue to pose significant challenges for food manufacturers. These issues highlight ongoing gaps in food safety management that, if not addressed, can lead to serious consequences.
A recall does not only impact a company’s financial performance, but it also affects consumer trust, regulatory compliance, and brand reputation. It can even lead to withdrawal of your Food Safety Management System (FSMS) certificate. Managing recalls effectively requires structured processes aligned with best practices and requirements to ensure rapid response, traceability, and risk mitigation.
Managing a Recall
✅ Immediate Risk Assessment
Identify the issue, assess its severity, and determine the affected products. Establish clear decision-making protocols to evaluate whether a withdrawal or full recall is required.
✅ Traceability & Product Recall/ Withdrawal Procedures
Quickly track affected batches, implement recall execution plans, and ensure that retailers, distributors, and stakeholders remove impacted products efficiently.
✅ Regulatory Notification & Consumer Communication
Notify the relevant authorities and provide clear, factual information to consumers about the recall, including risks and recommended actions. Transparency is essential to maintaining trust.
✅ Root Cause Analysis & Corrective Actions
Conduct a full investigation to determine what led to the issue. Implement corrective and preventive actions to avoid recurrence, including improved supplier verification, enhanced production controls, and more frequent internal reviews.
Certima’s Vision
As an impartial certification body, Certima assesses compliance with IFS and BRCGS food safety management requirements, helping businesses evaluate their preparedness and identify areas for improvement. While we do not provide operational guidance, our audits serve as a valuable tool in helping companies identify risks, strengthen recall procedures, and enhance compliance with international standards.
Are You Prepared? How well-prepared is your business to handle a recall?
Ensuring that recall systems are structured, tested, and fully traceable can make a critical difference. Let’s explore how compliance audits help mitigate risks and support recall readiness.