When a product you bought gets recalled, the advice is usually short: don’t use it, take it back, get your money back. But most people only hear about a recall after the product is already in their fridge or cupboard, and that’s when the questions start. How do you know if your exact item is affected? What if you’ve thrown away the receipt? And where do you even check?
This guide answers all of that. It also covers the recalls in the news right now, including the Arla protein puddings pulled from Coles, Costco and IGA shelves this week. The official recall notice for those puddings is published by Food Standards Australia New Zealand — you can read the full FSANZ alert here.
Quick answer: what to do with a recalled product
- Stop using it. Don’t eat, drink or use the product, even if it looks and smells fine.
- Check the details. Match the brand, product name, pack size and best-before or use-by date against the recall notice. Only the batches listed are affected.
- Return it for a refund. Take it back to the shop where you bought it for a full refund. If you can’t get there, contact the company named in the recall notice.
- Feeling unwell? If you have eaten or used the product and you’re worried about your health, see a doctor.
Recalls in the news this week
Two food recalls landed in the same week, which is why “product recall” searches spiked across Coles, Costco, IGA and Aldi shoppers.
Arla protein puddings — glass found
Arla Foods Mayer Australia recalled two 200g protein puddings after glass was found in the products. Food products containing glass fragments can cause illness or injury if swallowed, so the advice is clear: don’t eat them.
- Arla Protein Salted Caramel Flavour Pudding 200g — best before 28/04/2027 — sold at Costco in NSW.
- Arla Protein Chocolate Flavour Pudding 200g — best before 09/05/2027 — sold at Coles in NSW and Queensland, and at independent retailers including IGA and Harris Farm in NSW, and IGA and Supabarn in the ACT.
- What to do: return the puddings to the place of purchase for a full refund. Questions can go to Arla Foods Mayer Australia on 02 9669 2211.
Only the batches with those exact best-before dates are part of the recall. If your tub shows a different date, it isn’t affected.
Farmdale long-life milk at Aldi — microbial contamination
ALDI Stores recalled Farmdale Full Cream Long Life Milk 1L (best before 05JUN27) after microbial contamination linked to spoilage was found. It was sold at Aldi stores and online in Victoria and South Australia. The recall was published on 23 October 2026. As with the puddings, the advice is not to drink it and to return it to Aldi for a full refund. Aldi’s food recall hotline is 1800 709 993.
How to check if a product has been recalled
Don’t rely on social media posts alone — they often leave out the batch details that tell you whether your item is actually affected. Instead, work through these steps:
- Find the official recall notice. For food, check the FSANZ food recall alerts page. For everything else — toys, appliances, furniture, electronics — check the ACCC’s Product Safety Australia recalls page.
- Match the product name and brand. Recalls are often brand-specific. A similar product from another brand is not part of the recall.
- Match the size and date marking. Check the pack size, batch or lot number, and the use-by or best-before date printed on your product against the notice. This is the step most people skip, and it’s the one that matters most.
- Check where it was sold. Notices list the stores and states where the product was sold. If you bought yours somewhere else, it may still be worth checking — but the listed stores are the starting point.
What to do, step by step
- Don’t use it. Put the product aside where nobody in the house will grab it by mistake, especially kids.
- Keep the packaging if you can. The label carries the batch and date details the store may ask about, and a photo of it works too.
- Return it to the shop. Take it back to the place of purchase for a full refund. That’s the standard remedy for recalled food, and for most recalled consumer products the remedy is a refund, replacement or repair.
- Can’t get to the store? Contact the company named in the recall notice. The notice always includes a phone number or email for exactly this reason.
- Already eaten or used it? Don’t wait for symptoms. If you’re concerned about your health, seek medical advice and mention the recalled product by name.
What if you don’t have the receipt?
Don’t let a missing receipt stop you. For a recalled product, the store is dealing with a safety issue, not a change-of-mind return, so most will refund you without one. If you’re asked for proof that you bought it, a bank or card statement, a photo of the product in your home, or your supermarket loyalty purchase history can all work. If a store refuses, contact the company named in the recall notice — the refund obligation sits with them, not just the checkout.
Food recalls vs other product recalls
It helps to know which watchdog handles what, because the two lists live in different places:
- Food and drinks: Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) publishes food recall alerts, working with state and territory food authorities. Common reasons include foreign matter like glass or metal, undeclared allergens, and microbial contamination.
- Everything else: The ACCC runs Product Safety Australia, which lists recalls for consumer products — from toys and prams to heaters, chargers and furniture. Suppliers must notify the ACCC within two days of taking recall action, and the remedy is usually a refund, replacement or repair.
Both lists are free to check, and both are the first place a recall appears — before it reaches the news.
Your refund rights in plain terms
Under the Australian Consumer Law, products must be safe and of acceptable quality. A recalled product, by definition, isn’t. That means you’re entitled to a remedy, and for a safety recall that remedy is normally a full refund or a replacement — not a store credit, and not a repair that leaves you waiting while the product sits in your cupboard. If the remedy offered doesn’t match the recall notice, raise it with the company first, and then with your state or territory consumer protection agency if it isn’t resolved.
How to stay on top of recalls
- Bookmark the two lists: the FSANZ food recall alerts page and the Product Safety Australia recalls page. A quick check once a week is enough for most households.
- Sign up for alerts: both FSANZ and Product Safety Australia offer email or social updates when new recalls are published.
- Watch for in-store notices: when a product is recalled, stores must display a notice at the point of sale. It’s worth a glance at the noticeboard near the entrance or the customer service desk.
- Check before you serve guests: if you’re cooking for kids, elderly relatives or anyone with allergies, a two-minute check of the batch details is time well spent.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to return the product to get a refund?
Usually, yes — returning it is how the refund is processed. But if you can’t get to the store, contact the company in the recall notice and ask about alternatives. Some companies arrange collection or accept a photo as proof instead.
Can I still get a refund if I’ve already eaten or used some of it?
Yes. A recall applies to the product, not to how much of it is left. Return what’s left, or contact the company if there’s nothing left to return, and keep any receipts or medical records if you sought treatment.
Does a recall mean every product from that brand is unsafe?
No. Recalls almost always cover specific batches, flavours or date markings. That’s why matching the details on your pack matters — a different batch of the same product is usually fine.
Who do I contact if the store won’t help?
Contact the company named in the recall notice first. If that doesn’t resolve it, your state or territory consumer protection agency can advise on your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
