Q2 Food Recalls Increase 20%, Undeclared Allergens and Quality Top Cause
For the 23rd quarter in a row, undeclared allergens were the top cause of food recalls and accounted for 45% of them in Q3 2021, according to Sedgwick’s latest Recall Index report. Within allergens, undeclared milk was the leading cause and prepared foods remained the leading category.
“Companies need to concentrate on the basics through the second half of 2021 and final emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic,” the report states. “Amid supply chain pressures, high consumer demand and worker health and safety concerns arising from the coronavirus, food businesses are rightfully focused on their ability to maintain and conduct their core operations in safe manner while delivering quality, safe products to customers.”
FDA Recalls: Notable Numbers (Q2 2021)
- 106 recalls affecting 7.9 million units
- 5.8 million units (nearly 69%) impacted by recalls were due to one nut recall
- 19 recalls were a result of quality issues
- 18 recalls were a result of foreign material contamination
- 11 recalls were a result of bacterial contamination—6 from Listeria; 4 Salmonella; and 1 E. coli
USDA Recalls: Notable Numbers (Q2 2021)
- Recalls increased from 10 (Q1) to 12, but numbers still low compared to 2019 quarterly averages
- Units impacted dramatically dropped nearly 83% to 207,322 units
- Undeclared allergens were top cause of recalls, accounting for nearly 42%
- Soy milk and eggs were main allergens, but first recall of food products due to sesame also occurred
- Other recall reasons were quality (2), lack of inspection (2), bacterial contamination (2) and foreign material contamination (1)
- Beef products (93,551 pounds) most impacted category, followed by fish (46,804 pounds)
The report also pointed out that heavy metal regulation will have increased emphasis, as FDA has made it a priority as a result of a report released by Congress earlier this year indicating the presence of dangerous toxic heavy metals found in baby foods.
Related Articles
-
The voluntary recall was initiated following routine internal company testing.
-
The Class I recall affects frozen, fully cooked chicken products that were shipped nationwide to locations that include schools and nursing facilities.
-
What can F&B manufacturers learn from the Real Water brand recall?
-
There is concern that the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.
About The Author
Food Safety Tech Staff
Innovative Publishing Company, Inc.
The Food Safety Tech staff consists of freelance journalists and industry contributing writers with decades of experience in covering food safety issues under the categories of compliance, food laboratory and manufacturing processes and technologies, foodservice and retail, regulations and sustainability.
You can contact our writing staff via our Contact Page