The firm is recalling some date codes of its Dolmio PastaVita range because they may have been insufficiently heated during manufacture.
A Mars spokesman told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “Routine monitoring conducted regularly throughout production has indicated that the pasta may not have undergone optimal processing during manufacture, so we have initiated this product recall in full co-operation with relevant food safety authorities.”
While avoiding comment on this latest recall, Richard Matthews, head of product liability at legal specialist Eversheds, told FoodManufacture.co.uk that, in general, too few firms had effective recall plans.
Serious incidents
“I am surprised at the number of medium and large food companies which do have not established recall plans,” he said. “In my experience, the companies which respond best to serious incidents are the ones which have such plans and test them at least annually.
“Responding quickly and effectively to an incident can demonstrate a food business’s commitment to quality and safety as well as minimising the risk of adverse publicity.”
But he made it clear his comments did not apply to Mars Food's recall.
Matthews will be joining Andrew Rhodes, Food Standards Agency (FSA) director of operations, and a range of other high profile speakers at Food Manufacture’s Product Recall Conference 2011. For more information about this event, designed to arm food manufacturers with the latest information on food safety and product recalls, click here.
Legal specialist Clare Thomas, head of food and drink at law firm Addleshaw Goddard, said: “Product recall is an issue most companies will have to deal with at some time. Forward planning and preparation are essential to ensure the procedures are in place to deal with it correctly.”
Action plan
Firms should have a corrective action plan setting out their actions, she said. This should be constantly updated to take account of new technologies and new markets.
“In the situation where a food product does not comply with the food safety requirements as set out in European Commission Regulations, companies are legally required to act immediately to initiate withdrawal procedures and to effectively and accurately inform the customer of the reason for withdrawal,” she said.
Food Manufacture’s Product Recall Conference 2011 will take place on Wednesday, November 23 at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. To book your place at this event click here, telephone 01293 610433 or email Rachel.cannon@wrbm.com.
The conference is being organised by Food Manufacture in association with the Institute of Food Science and Technology.
Speakers include:
Andrew Rhodes, FSA director of operations: Working with industry to manage food safety
Andy Cuerel, senior consultant Razor/College Hill: Managing a crisis
Richard Matthews, Eversheds: Legal responsibilities/recent case studies
Matthew Yeomans, Social Media Influence: Citizen journalists and foodbourne illnesses
Meanwhile, Dolmio PastaVita products being recalled are:
- Dolmio PastaVita Bolognese, 300g
- Best before dates: September 24 2012, 25 September 2012
- Dolmio PastaVita Tomato and Basil, 300g
- Best before date: September 25 2012
- Dolmio PastaVita Sweet Pepper, 300g
- Best before date: September 25 2012
- Dolmio PastaVita Roasted Garlic and Tomato, 300g
- Best before date: September 25 2012