If a food recall affects the establishment, what should the manager do?

• A. Isolate the food and keep it in a designated area
• B. Remove all items from the premises
• C. Notify customers
• D. Return all foods to suppliers

Answer: (A)

When a recall affects items in your establishment, the first action is to prevent any potentially recalled product from being used or sold. Isolating the food means pulling it from stock and placing it in a clearly marked, secure designated area where access is controlled. This keeps the suspect items separate from good inventory, making it easy to identify affected lots, verify the recall notice, and follow the specified disposition (return to supplier, destruction, or other approved handling). Holding the product in isolation also preserves evidence for tracing and avoids accidental exposure to customers or staff. After you’ve isolated and documented the affected inventory, you follow the recall instructions exactly, which may include returning items to the supplier or disposing of them. Communicating with customers isn’t the immediate step unless the recall guidance requires it; the priority is to contain the product and cooperate with the supplier or regulators.