Why Are There So Many Food Recalls Lately? What to Know About Food Safety Amid Startling Uptick

From finding metal wires in chicken to listeria outbreaks in deli meat, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is no stranger to food recalls. However, items being pulled from the shelves for allergens are much more common than these extreme instances. The callback of certain foods isn’t a new concept, yet it is on the rise in recent years. Keep reading to find out why food recalls have increased and how you can keep yourself safe. 

Why are there so many food recalls lately?  

Food and beverage recalls declared by the FDA are always happening, but in recent years, they are more frequent than ever. Sometimes products can stay on the recall list for months or even years depending on the severity 

 As of June 2024, more than 350 different foods and beverages have been recalled mainly due to unlabeled allergens. Products include breakfast foods, fresh produce, sauces, frozen pizzas and certain cooking oils. 

What is a food recall? 

“A recall is a method of removing or correcting products that are in violation of laws administered by the (FDA),” the FDA details. It involves removing specific products at the direct request of the company selling the food or beverage, the FDA itself or another authority.  

Recalls can happen for several reasons, with the main ones including the “discovery of organisms, including bacteria such as Salmonella or parasites such as Cyclospora, the discovery of foreign objects such as broken glass or metal or the discovery of a major allergen that does not appear on the product label,” according to Foodsafety.gov. 

Allergens are the most common reason for food recalls 

Oftentimes the reason products are taken off the shelves is because they’re missing the proper label. Foods that don’t have allergens listed pose risks to those with food sensitivities or allergies and can be damaging to their health.  

Currently, there are nine major allergens included in the FDA’s list that must be clearly labeled if they’re present in a food or beverage. 

Sesame seeds are the most recent allergen 

The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act added sesame as a major food allergen in 2023, per the FDA. While it will take time to properly change everything, going forward sesame must be properly identified on food and supplement labels. 

The other major allergens include milk, and eggs, fish like bass, flounder and cod, crustacean shellfish, like crab, lobster and shrimp, tree nuts like almonds, walnuts and pecans, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.  

How to protect yourself from food allergens 

Since most food recalls have been due to mislabeled or unlabeled allergens, it’s more important than ever to pay attention to the ingredients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than a quarter of adults and children in the U.S. have at least one allergy.  

 Consumers should be extra careful when buying products, manufacturers might not be taking enough time and care to ensure that foods are labeled with the right information.   

It’s important to read every food label and double check the ingredients and allergens are clearly disclosed. It’s also recommended to look for any cross-contamination or alerts about the product specifically. One of the best things you can do is stick to the brands you know and trust if you’re worried about a potential allergen.  

For more recall news:

Eggo Waffles and Two Rivers Coffee Is Launching a Breakfast Coffee Blend

Urgent Coffee Recall: FDA Warns of Potentially Fatal Food Poisoning Risk — See the Full List

Trader Joe’s Is Recalling 653,000 Tangerine Mango Candles Over Fire Safety Concerns: Updates