© 2005 Notification and Reporting on Food Incidents: Irish Approach Food & Drugs Authority Bangkok Thailand Dorothy Guina-Dornan

© 2005

Guidance Note 10: Product Recall and Traceability Developed by the FSAI and industry and is a best practice document Also designed to minimise company liability in the event of food safety incidents Covers all food sectors

© 2005 FSAI Guidance Note 10 Classifies the level of product recall – withdrawal and recall Withdrawal: the removal of an unsafe foodstuff from the distribution chain but does not extend to food sold to the consumer Recall: the removal of unsafe food from the distribution chain and extends to food sold to consumers and therefore involves communication with consumers Role of the enforcement authorities and industry defined

© 2005 Stages of a Product Recall Procedure Development of a product recall policy Development of a product recall plan Testing of a product recall plan Notification and initiation of a product recall Management of a product recall Closing a product recall Review of a product recall and amendment of the product recall plan

© 2005 Support Material Examples of Role and Responsibility Chart Contact List layout Product Recall Decision tree Sample Trade Notification Sample Product Recall Notice Sample Press Release Bad and good Product Recall Notice Contact Details for the FSAI and Regulatory Authorities Details of relevant legislation

© 2005 FSAI Code of Practice No.5 Food Incidents and Food Alerts

© 2005 FSAI Code of Practice 5 Aims to set out the arrangements for responsibility of managing food incidents at local and national level involving food hazards as identified by food businesses, competent authorities or other Member States and the associated communications The objective is to have a co- ordinated approach to ensure that food products identified as being a risk to the consumers are controlled or removed from the food chain

© 2005 FSAI Code of Practice 5 Part 1: Incident and Alert Notification Management Definitions Exchange of Information Responsibilities for Management of Incidents Planning and Co-ordination Risk Analysis Food Alerts and RASFF notifications: Category I and II Communication: , fax, SMS messaging, website, media Part 2: ‘Single Liaison’ Arrangements Provisions within Official Control Regulations Exchange of Information between Ireland and other EU countries

© 2005 Role of enforcement officers Identify the hazard giving rise to the incident Assess the risk Initiate action Communicate as necessary to other authorities, agencies, organisations or consumers Review activities on the basis of information available Act as a contact point for information available

© 2005

Role of the FDA, Thailand Provide enforcement support Act as a central contact point for gathering and issuing information Issue Food Alert and RASFF notifications Notify and update official agencies Provide necessary briefings for other professionals, government departments, officials and the media

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Role of Food Business Operators Take all necessary measures to protect public health Maintain an effective recall and traceability system Maintain process and traceability documentation Notify the relevant official agencies and /or the FSAI of incidents or potential incidents without delay Initiate the withdrawal and/or recall of products as necessary

© 2005 Role of Food Business Operators Provide all necessary assistance and co-operation to an investigating agency Ensure timely release of information relevant to an investigation Review and update information as it becomes available and ensure investigating agencies are notified during incidents Prevent the sale of food which does not comply with the provision of any regulation applicable to that particular food

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Hazard characterisation and distribution of food determines responsibility for management

© 2005 Distribution of food – Limited or Wide Limited Distribution: localised area under the responsibility of one competent authority Confined to one sector under the responsibility of one competent authority Wide Distribution: More than one competent authority responsible Food is distributed outside of Ireland

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ANNEX 1: FSAI INCIDENT REPORT FORM NOTIFICATION OF FOOD INCIDENT REPORTED BY: Position: Organisation: Address: Direct Tel. No: Out of Hours: Fax No: DATE /TIME OF REPORT: SECTION 1 – DETAILS OF HAZARD PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION: (Please supply as much information as is known) Food type: Brand Name: Nature of the Hazard: ChemicalMicrobiologicalForeign Object

© 2005 Manufacturer: Country of Origin: Retailer/Distributor: Lot/Batch Number: Identification marks/stamps/premises approval number: Quantity of Food Involved: Details of Packaging (pack size, type etc): Date of Production: Durability details (Use By/Best Before): Known Distribution: Importer: Commercial Document Details (if imported): Wherever possible, a picture or label copy should also be provided. SECTION 2 – DETAILS OF INVESTIGATION Date of Hazard identified How Hazard was identified: Known illness related to consumption: Details of any investigation: Contact with other agencies/organisations: (details of individuals, contact numbers etc) SECTION 3 – OTHER INFORMATION Any other details known about the incident: Once completed the form should be ed to

© 2005 Communication RASFF Food Alerts Category I – For Action Category II – For Information Media Management Incidents managed by the enforcement officers Incidents managed by the enforcement officers in collaboration with the central authority Incidents managed by the central authority

© 2005 Incident Closure Complete investigation into the incident Ensure all possible action has been carried out to ensure food products have been recalled or withdrawn Notify all parties involved that the incident is closed whether the action was initiated by the food business operator, enforcement officers or the central authority Make a summary record / report of the outcome including details on the quantity of product recalled / withdrawn / returned / destroyed

© 2005 Rapid Alert Team: Emergency Phone: (01) Contact Details

© 2005