A major Australian pet food product has been recalled after dogs reportedly fell ill in another case that highlights the value of product recall insurance.
Black Hawk Pet Care was forced to cease production and quarantine one of its products, which has since been recalled as dogs reportedly fell ill, reports WA Today.
Pet owners in Perth were the first to make complaints about the Black Hawk Grain Free Salmon product. Sean Duggan, CEO of Black Hawk parent company Masterpet, said the firm had taken steps to limit the impact of the outbreak.
"We have completed extensive testing of the product to ensure that it poses no harm. All tests to date have come back well within normal ranges,” Duggan said, according to WA Today.
"Until we can guarantee the exact same level of consistency and quality that our pets are accustomed to, we have ceased production of the product and quarantined all remaining stock.”
Stephen Elms, National Head of Food Production at Gallagher, said that product recalls like this one, as well as the recent strawberry crisis, highlight the importance of product recall insurance.
“For this sector, product recall cover is of paramount importance and would respond if products have been tampered with and need to be withdrawn or recalled off shelves,” Elms said.
“It is also important that producers and their brokers continually review their liability limits to ensure there would be sufficient coverage in place in the event of a loss.”
Product recall insurance features several benefits that food producers may need to utilise in the event of a recall or notification, such as:
While the recall of product may be the first thing that springs to mind, the reputational element of the cover in its brand rehabilitation aspect is also important. This can provide producers with expert help from PR or brand management firms to help navigate the difficult times that can come following a product recall.
This subject is explored in greater detail in the latest Gallagher Market Overview Report, Reflecting on a year of change. The report is available as a digital download.