Voluntary Recall
A recall initiated by the food manufacturer or distributor on their own, without an FDA order.
What It Means
A voluntary recall occurs when a food manufacturer, distributor, or importer decides on its own to remove a product from the market or correct a violation. The overwhelming majority of food recalls in the United States, over 95 percent, are voluntary. Companies initiate voluntary recalls for a variety of reasons: they may discover contamination through routine testing, receive consumer complaints about illness or foreign objects, identify labeling errors, or learn about problems from supplier notifications. The FDA encourages voluntary recalls because they allow problems to be addressed more quickly than mandatory enforcement actions. When a company initiates a voluntary recall, it works with the FDA to determine the scope of the recall, classify the health hazard, and develop a strategy for removing the product from commerce. The company is responsible for notifying retailers, wholesalers, and consumers about the recall. The FDA monitors the recall to ensure it is carried out effectively and that all affected product is accounted for. While the term "voluntary" might suggest that these recalls are less serious, many voluntary recalls involve Class I hazards that pose significant health risks. The voluntary nature refers only to the fact that the company initiated the action rather than being ordered to do so by the FDA.
Related Terms
Mandatory Recall
A recall ordered by the FDA when a company refuses to voluntarily recall a product that poses a health risk.
FDA Food Recall
A voluntary or mandatory action by a firm to remove a food product from the market when it may be unsafe or mislabeled.
Market Withdrawal
The removal of a product from the market that involves a minor violation not subject to FDA legal action, distinct from a recall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Voluntary Recall mean?
A recall initiated by the food manufacturer or distributor on their own, without an FDA order.
Why is Voluntary Recall important for food safety?
A voluntary recall occurs when a food manufacturer, distributor, or importer decides on its own to remove a product from the market or correct a violation. The overwhelming majority of food recalls in the United States, over 95 percent, are voluntary. Companies initiate voluntary recalls for a varie...