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Photo:Courtesy of Brand/Getty Images
Courtesy of Brand/Getty Images
As someone who has been covering recalls forEatingWellsince 2022, I will say recalls are more common than you may think. However, the widespread recent nationwide, and at times international, outbreaks have been quite absurd. Has something changed? Why are there different alerts every week on a new foodborne illness to worry about?
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I talked to Food and Drug Administration spokesperson Janell Goodwin. I asked her why we are noticing more recalls than usual, and if consumers should be worried about it. Here’s what she had to say.
Why Are There So Many Recalls?
Simply put, recalls are a buzzy topic at the moment due to thehuge deli meat recallearlier this summer. But recalls regularly occur, often without nationwide coverage and, as Goodwin notes, there isn’t a spike when compared to previous years.
“The FDA takes its responsibility seriously to ensure the safety and proper labeling of the foods we eat,” Goodwin tellsEatingWell. “While there may be a perception of more recalls, the number of food-related recalls in FY 2024 is generally consistent with years past.” She even provided a chart to show the comparison between the amount of recalls in 2024 versus the amount of recalls in each year since 2012.
FDA
While it’s positive to see that there have been a similar amount recalls in the U.S. this year in comparison to the past few years, it’s still concerning to see that there have been 2,182 recall events in the fiscal year. That’s nearly 6 recalls a day on food, medication and necessary health equipment. This appears to be an average amount of recalls over the last eight years, and while it’s trendy now for news outlets to be covering these announcements, this may shift. That’s why it’s crucial for consumers to stay informed about the latest recalls.
“It is important that consumers be aware of recalls because recalled foods may cause injury or illness,” Goodwin explains.
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I Have a Recalled Product. What Do I Do?
If you have a recalled item in your kitchen, here’s what you need to, per Goodwin’s advice.
“If a consumer believes they have a recalled food product in their possession, they should first ensure that they have read the recall notice carefully and follow any product-specific instructions,” she says. “Often, recalled products may be returned to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. If not, dispose of the product properly—if it’s contaminated, wrap it securely before putting it in the trash and then wash hands thoroughly. Do not give the product to others, such as a food bank or a pet.”
Once you have removed the product from your home, be sure to wash your hands and properly clean all surfaces and food that may have been in contact with the recalled item, especially if the food was recalled due to undeclared allergens or foodborne bacteria likeSalmonella,Listeria monocytogenesorE. coli.
“Wash with soap and water the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops and utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods,” Goodwin recommends. “Then sanitize them with a solution of 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of hot water. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used.” Be sure to wash your hands after these cleaning procedures.
The Bottom Line
While recall trends aren’t actually skyrocketing like they may seem to be, it’s important to keep food safety top of mind. Goodwin says, “Consumers should know that while recalls may seem daunting, they indicate that the problem has been identified and is being fixed.”EatingWellwill be sure to keep you posted on the latest food recalls. It’s also important to constantly check the FDA and USDA’s FSIS recall pages to stay up to date on recent outbreaks.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.DeBeer J, Blickem E, Rana Y et. al.An analysis of food recalls in the United States, 2002–2023.Journal of Food Protection.2024;87(14). doi:10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100378U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.Recalls & public health alerts.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Recalls, market withdrawals, & safety alerts.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.DeBeer J, Blickem E, Rana Y et. al.An analysis of food recalls in the United States, 2002–2023.Journal of Food Protection.2024;87(14). doi:10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100378U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.Recalls & public health alerts.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Recalls, market withdrawals, & safety alerts.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
DeBeer J, Blickem E, Rana Y et. al.An analysis of food recalls in the United States, 2002–2023.Journal of Food Protection.2024;87(14). doi:10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100378U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.Recalls & public health alerts.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Recalls, market withdrawals, & safety alerts.
DeBeer J, Blickem E, Rana Y et. al.An analysis of food recalls in the United States, 2002–2023.Journal of Food Protection.2024;87(14). doi:10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100378
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.Recalls & public health alerts.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Recalls, market withdrawals, & safety alerts.
