Recently, Green Giant announced a voluntary recall on yellow and white onions. Minnesota ServSafe managers should pay close attention to this recall since many of the delivery locations are in the state of Minnesota. This may be a good time to check your inventory for white and yellow onions to make sure that you don’t have any sitting in storage. It’s also prudent to review procedures Minnesota ServSafe managers should use to handle major food recall notices.
Procedures for Responding to the Onion Recall for ServSafe Food Managers
Some recalls affect the food industry more than others, and this onion recall impacts nearly every food business in areas where the recall is in effect. Onions are a staple ingredient in every food business, so what procedures should ServSafe food managers do when impacted by a recall of this scale?
Discarding recalled ingredients and prepared product which includes tainted ingredients should be the first step. Your guests’ safety must be a top priority, replacing these ingredients should come second.
Finding an alternative for necessities should only occur after you’ve cleared your storage of recalled products. Bringing in untainted ingredients while you still have recalled produce in storage could lead to a mix-up between tainted and untainted ingredients. You may want to order a replacement product as soon as you hear of a recall, but don’t stall on clearing health hazards before receiving a new shipment.
Most foodservice suppliers should have checked UPC codes and other information concerning a recall before sending you a replacement, but ServSafe managers should do their due diligence and verify their new product has not been affected. You may also have to consider going without due to scarcity during a recall. In that instance, informing your guests that onions, or any recalled ingredient, are being removed from the menu for their health and safety will keep them informed as to why some menu items may look different than normal.
Have your Servsafe food managers documented a recall procedure? Have you ever had to take steps to alter your menu during a recall?