The amount of food recalls that have happened this year cannot be counted on your own hands, unless you have 382 of them that is. The media is always flooded with new information about yet another item being recalled by the FDA, but is this a rising problem or something that has been going on for years?
Food recalls happen when a product is discovered to be unsafe or against the safety regulations and then removed from the market. They are made with the intention to protect public health and maintain food safety in the supply chain. There are many different reasons why a product gets recalled, like contamination, allergen mislabeling, and chemical contaminations. In the United States, federations like the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture classify recalls into three categories: serious health risk, potential health risk, and a violation unlikely to cause health issues but still non-compliant with regulations.
But what is going on in 2024? The number of recalls made by the FDA went up by 27.6% in the first three months. According to Sedgwick’s Recall Index 2024 Edition 1, contaminated packaging has also been an issue, going from 6.2 million to 30.7 million cases. The increased number of recalls this year isn’t actually due to food being suddenly more dangerous to consume but because of the evolving regulatory enforcements and the heightened awareness from media and consumers.
The creation of the Food Safety Modernization Act passed in 2010 has also contributed to the evolving standards as it includes the Produce Safety Rule which establishes federal standards for the production and harvesting of products. The rule only went into effect in 2016, creating quicker responses to potential outbreaks.
Despite this, outbreaks of foodborne illnesses like Salmonella and Ecoli are still not fully contained. There have been multiple incidents in 2024, tracing back to products like fresh produce and deli meats, underscoring the vulnerabilities still present in the food safety system. There have been thousands of reported illnesses across the states, involving strains such as Salmonella Braenderup and Africana.
On a more positive note, the overall number of outbreaks is consistent with previous years (yay?) meaning as of right now these illnesses are not drastically rising, plus changes in surveillance have made detection more efficient, leading to a higher number of publicized cases.
The amount of coverage in the media and news is a good sign, as food safety always has its ups and down. Unless you want to grow your own garden and raise your own livestock, staying aware of these changes is important to make safer choices and lessen the risks of getting sick.
There are many ways to stay informed on current food safety news, like alerts from the FDA and USDA themselves and reputable sources online. Being aware is very essential as you are your biggest safeguard. Be mindful of what you consume, check labels and expiration dates, and (most importantly) stay alive!
