How do recalls happen? Where can I go to find more information about recalls?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported more than 400 food and drug recalls in 2013. Make sure you know where to find recall information — read on to find out.

Accidents happen and can leave even the best food manufacturers issuing recalls for undeclared allergens, foreign material, packaging issues or worse — E. coli, salmonella or other potential foodborne bacteria and viruses. Last year, the FDA reported the top two reasons for recalls were undeclared allergens and bacterial contamination of food.

How are recalls initiated?

The FDA can be notified that potentially harmful problems exist in products by various means. Although the FDA rarely requires manufacturers to issue a recall, recalling the product entirely is typically the most effective way for companies to protect the public. Consumers’ reactions to harmful products can be different depending on their immune system, age, whether they are pregnant and many other factors. Some may have no reaction at all, while others can become extremely ill. 

How does Publix react to a recall?

Our system links key product information from corporate purchasing to every store in the company when a recall is initiated.

Upon notification, corporate quality assurance (CQA) notifies the affected distribution centers, stores and support departments of the product details, severity of the recall and further instructions. Retail associates remove the product from store shelves to prevent customers from purchasing a potentially harmful product. Since we never know when a recall might occur, it’s so important for managers-in-charge and department managers to understand the processes for quickly removing recalled product.

Assistant store managers place a sign in the recall sign holder located at the front of the store, which includes the product description and item number. Customers can return recalled products for a full refund.

If a recall is issued for one of our store brand products, CQA and the business area work closely with our manufacturing facilities and impacted suppliers, if applicable, to make sure corrective actions are taken and appropriate preventative measures are put into place.

Communicating recalls to our customers is very important. Not only can customers review pending recalls issued on products sold in Publix stores by referring to the recall sign holder, but also by visiting www.publix.com/recalls.