Smart Shopping: Grocery Shopping Safety During Recalls

By: Abigail Kelly, Health + Nutrition First

If you follow the news, food recalls may seem increasingly common. Amid ongoing recalls, choosing safe, nutritious foods can feel challenging, especially when recalls often involve produce and other staples of a healthy diet. Everyone wants to provide safe, nutritious food for themselves and their families, so what should you do when a food you regularly purchase is recalled? Understanding how recalls work and knowing where to find reliable information can help you make informed decisions while grocery shopping.

What is a Recall?

A recall is the removal of food from the market that violates the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulations. The FDA regulates all food except poultry, meat, and processed egg products, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates. The USDA also has the authority to recall products within its purview. Food recalls occur when a producer believes a product may make consumers ill or when government agencies request or require one, such as during a foodborne outbreak.

How Can You Stay Up-to-Date?

You don't have to avoid an entire type of food just because you hear about a recall; instead, check recalls here: Recalls and Outbreaks | FoodSafety.gov. The website provides a list of current recalls and specific information about each one, so you can make informed decisions. You can also sign up for recall notices from the FDA and USDA.

Practicing Safe Consumption

While this may seem daunting, recalls are very specific, and all product information, such as brand, product name, use-by dates, batch numbers, and other details, must match the recall to be considered “recalled.” If one item does not match, the item is safe to use.

If you are concerned about a specific recall, carefully compare your product with all identifying information provided in the official recall notice. If you are unsure whether your product has been recalled, contact the producer or retailer before consuming it. If you have a recalled product, follow the recall instructions, which often direct consumers to throw the product away or return it to the retailer for a refund.

Always remember to also practice general food safety. Wash your hands before preparing food, wash your produce, keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods, cook products to the appropriate temperatures, and store leftovers properly. You can find more information on safely cleaning, prepping, cooking, and storing food here.