• Meat Science Specialist (This may be obtained from an appropriate entity outside of MDOL)
• Microbiologist (This may be obtained from an appropriate entity outside of MDOL)
• Montana Board of Livestock member or MDOL Executive Officer
• MDOL Animal Health and Food Safety Division Administrator or MDOL meat and Poultry
• Inspection Bureau Chief
• MDOL Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau Enforcement, Investigations and Analysis Officer (EIAO) or equivalent.

If the Recall Committee recommends a recall, the Committee classifies the recall based on the relative health risk, as follows:

• Class I - A Class I recall involves a health hazard situation in which there is a reasonable probability that eating the food will cause health problems or death.
• Class II - A Class II recall involves a potential health hazard situation in which there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from eating the food.
• Class III - A Class III recall involves a situation in which eating the food will not cause adverse health consequences.

In addition to determining the class of the recall, the Recall Committee verifies that the company has identified production and distribution information to facilitate the recall.

The Recall Committee advises the company of its recommendation. The firm has 48 hours to declare its intent to accept or deny the recommendation in writing to the MDOL Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau Chief.

How does the MDOL Meat and Poultry Bureau ensure that a recall is effective?

Meat and Poultry Bureau field personnel conduct “effectiveness checks” to ensure that the recalling firm makes all reasonable efforts to notify the consignees of the recalled product that there is a need to remove the product from commerce. The Bureau conducts a sufficient number of effectiveness checks throughout the distribution chain to verify that the recalling firm has been diligent in notifying the consignees of the need to retrieve and control recalled product, and that the consignees responded accordingly.

If the Bureau determines that the recalling firm has been successful in contacting its consignees, and has made all reasonable efforts to retrieve and control products, the Agency notifies the firm that the recall is complete and no further action is expected.

Does the MDOL Meat and Poultry Bureau keep documentation on recalls?

The Bureau maintains comprehensive case files for all recalls coordinated by the Agency. Information on open and closed cases can be requested in accordance with state law.

How can consumers identify recalled products?

All containers of meat, poultry, and egg products must be labeled with a state mark of inspection