What are the three classes of recalls used by FSIS (Class I, II, III) and their general meaning?

• A. Class I: reasonable probability of serious health consequences; Class II: temporary or reversible health effects; Class III: exposure with not likely to cause adverse health consequences
• B. Class I: minor labeling issue; Class II: product spoilage; Class III: no action needed
• C. Class I: no health risk; Class II: moderate risk; Class III: high risk
• D. Class I: packaging failure; Class II: shipping delay; Class III: pricing issue

Answer: (A)

FSIS uses three recall classes to express how severe the health risk is from a product and what level of action is needed. The most severe class means there’s a reasonable probability that consuming the product will cause serious health consequences or death. The next level indicates temporary or reversible health effects, or a situation where the risk of serious harm is unlikely but present. The least severe class reflects exposure that is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. This framework helps producers and regulators prioritize recalls and communicate risk clearly.