Atlanta Food Recall Response Checklist for Operators

Immediate Notification & Inventory Procedures

Within 2 hours of learning about a recall affecting your business, notify your local health department—either Fulton County Board of Health, DeKalb County Board of Health, or your city's environmental health division, depending on your jurisdiction. Simultaneously, retrieve all affected product batches and lot codes from your inventory system and storage areas, then segregate recalled items in a designated holding area labeled "DO NOT USE." Document the exact quantity, location, and storage conditions of all recalled products. Georgia DPH and FDA require written records of this initial inventory isolation; inspectors will verify this documentation during compliance audits.

Documentation & Trace-Back Requirements

Create a comprehensive trace-back document listing your supplier, the product name, manufacturer, lot/batch codes, purchase dates, and delivery dates for all recalled items in your facility. Atlanta-area health departments use this information to assess cross-contamination risk and determine if other products or surfaces may be affected. Retain copies of your product invoices, receiving logs, and any communications with your distributor. Georgia DPH aligns with FDA FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) expectations; maintaining 2+ years of supplier and ingredient records is standard. Document any employee who handled the recalled product and the dates/times they worked, as health officials may require staff interviews.

Customer Notification & Corrective Actions

If you served recalled products to customers, develop a customer notification plan and submit it to your local health department for approval before distributing notices. Include the product name, recall reason (pathogen, allergen, physical hazard, etc.), symptoms to watch for, and next steps (refund, replacement). For products still in your facility, coordinate return or destruction with your distributor and document the method (licensed waste disposal, incineration, or return shipment). Atlanta inspectors verify that no recalled product entered the food supply chain; you must provide evidence of destruction or return within 5 business days. Conduct a deep clean of any surfaces, equipment, or prep areas that contacted recalled items.

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