Accidental contamination is a common trigger within specialist Product Recall Insurance.

The exact definition depends on the policy.

What can accidental contamination involve? #

Examples may include unintended contamination involving:

• Foreign objects.
• Allergens.
• Chemicals.
• Bacteria.
• Other harmful substances.

It can also involve certain errors during production, processing, packaging or handling.

Does the contamination need to cause actual injury? #

Not necessarily.

Depending on the policy, cover may respond where use or consumption of the affected product would create the specified risk of bodily injury or other defined harm.

The wording needs to be checked carefully.

What costs can result from contamination? #

An insured contamination event can lead to costs involving:

• Product withdrawal.
• Customer notification.
• Collection.
• Disposal.
• Replacement.
• Professional advisers.
• Crisis management.
• Lost sales.

The extent to which each cost is insured depends on the policy.

Is a normal quality problem accidental contamination? #

Not necessarily.

A product may be unsuitable for sale without creating the health or safety risk required by a contaminated product policy.

Broader Product Withdrawal cover may be needed where the concern is a manufacturing or quality control problem rather than contamination.