Recalls and Notifications from Food Standards Scotland

Published: 23rd April 2026

Community pharmacies must receive timely information about product recalls affecting both medicines and food products. This guidance explains how recalls are communicated and how pharmacies can ensure they receive the right notifications.

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It is important that community pharmacies receive all relevant information relating to recalls on all products stocked by the business, including medicines and foods.

For medicines, these come through the MHRA recall information system, which will be sent directly to the pharmacy through a number of routes into the clinical mailbox.

For foods, including vitamin supplements classed as foods, pharmacies should register to receive this information directly from Food Standards Scotland. The pharmacy should register at https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/subscribe.

If you would like more information, please contact us at enquiries@cps.scot.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Why are recall notifications important for community pharmacies?

  Recall notifications ensure pharmacies are aware of safety or quality issues affecting medicines and food products they stock.

• How do pharmacies receive medicines recall information?

  Medicines recall information is issued through the MHRA recall information system and sent to the pharmacy’s clinical mailbox.

• Does this guidance apply to food products stocked by pharmacies?

  Yes. It applies to foods stocked by pharmacies, including vitamin supplements classed as foods.

• How do pharmacies receive food recall notifications?

  Pharmacies must register directly with Food Standards Scotland to receive food recall notifications.

• Where can pharmacies register for food recall updates?

  Registration is available at https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/subscribe.