2004 questionnaire: product recall

Our survey of product recall experience is now available. To download a copy, click here.

Links to information about product recall insurance:

Two major underwriters in the UK who offer this form of insurance are AIG and Beazley.(On the Beazley web site, select 'products' and then 'total recall')

Insurance brokers can often arrange product recall cover from these underwriters or others, but some brokers do not have in-depth knowledge of what is a highly specialised area. You may find the underwriters' sites helpful in explaining the scope of these policies.

Testing your product recall plans.

We suggest that these plans are first tested with a 'table top' exercise, in which you talk through the way that the plan would work. This ensures that participants are aware of what it involves, for themselves and for other parts of the company.

You may then wish to move on to a full-scale simulation, possibly involving one of your major customers.This can often help to reassure the customers that you are taking product recall and quality issues seriously. Our survey demonstrates that one of the key factors in a successful recall is the right relationship with your major customers; exercising with them means that you know what they want, and they understand the problems you face.

Standards for product recall plans.

There is no single universally accepted standard for product recall plans. The British Retail Consortium publishes guidelines, agreed by most major retailers. Their site also offers a free article about the standard.

The Department of Trade and Industry publishes guidelines for product recalls. Although these do not specifically relate to food they are useful as a check list, and free.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland publishes a set of free guidelines specifically relating to food recalls. These are well thought of, but do not of course have any official standing in the UK.

The CIES (follow links to 'food safety' and 'traceability') produces a free note on Implementing Traceability in the Food Supply Chain. This includes material on product withdrawals.

The European Union General Product Safety Directive.

There ares everal articles on the implications of this directive (eg "The revised General Product Safety Directive: a practical look" by Sarah Croft and Jon Strongman, Shook, Hardy & Bacon International LLP) on the Practical Law web site (enter 'general product safety directive') in the search box. Some articles are only available to subscribers.