What to do in a food supply incident
What is the risk? A food supply incident is when a product is contaminated, either accidentally (e.g., with bacteria) or deliberately, making it unsafe to eat .
What you can do
- Follow official advice: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for food safety in the UK. If a product is unsafe, they will issue an Allergy Alert or Product Recall.
- Check recalls: You can see all current product recalls on the FSA website.
- What to do if you have a recalled product:
- Do not eat it.
- Follow the advice on the recall notice. This usually involves returning the product to the shop for a full refund.
- Practice good food hygiene: You can protect your family from most food-related illnesses by following the four 'Cs' of food safety:
- Cleaning: Wash your hands, surfaces, and chopping boards.
- Cooking: Cook food thoroughly to the right temperature.
- Chilling: Cool and store food in the fridge correctly.
- Cross-contamination: Avoid it by separating raw and cooked foods.