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FDA food recall search: check products, ingredients and undeclared allergens

Short answer

FDA publishes food recall enforcement reports, which you can search through the openFDA food enforcement endpoint by product, ingredient, recall reason (for example "undeclared milk" or "Listeria") or firm. Each report gives the recall classification (Class I, II or III, defined in 21 CFR 7.3(m)), status, recalling firm, distribution pattern and report date. A recall appears there once FDA has classified it, so one announced in the last few days may not be listed yet.

What the recall classes mean (21 CFR 7.3(m))

  • Class I: a reasonable probability that use of or exposure to the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
  • Class II: use of or exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or the probability of serious consequences is remote.
  • Class III: use of or exposure to the product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.

Searching by allergen or ingredient

Search the recall reason for the allergen name, for example "undeclared sesame" or "undeclared peanut", or the ingredient, for example "flour" or "spinach". The recall check returns the total number of matching reports in the register and the newest matches with their class and reason. It also searches UK Food Standards Agency alerts. It does not cover EU-wide alerts, so no result there says nothing about the EU.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I search FDA food recalls by ingredient?
Search the openFDA food enforcement reports for the ingredient in the product description or recall reason. From an AI assistant connected to fmcg.network, ask for recalls for the ingredient and the recall check runs the search and cites each report.
What is a Class I food recall?
Under 21 CFR 7.3(m)(1), Class I means there is a reasonable probability that using or being exposed to the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. Undeclared major allergens and Listeria contamination are common Class I reasons.
Why is a recent recall missing from the search?
Enforcement reports list a recall after FDA has classified it, which can follow the company's announcement by days or weeks. Check the FDA recalls page for the newest company announcements.
Can I find recalls for undeclared allergens?
Yes. Search the recall reason for "undeclared" plus the allergen, for example "undeclared milk". Each matching report states the reason in FDA's own words.

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