While U.S. product recalls were relatively flat from the second to third quarter, expect an upsurge in the weeks and months to come as regulators – under growing pressure from Congress and consumer groups – turn their attention to currently unregulated categories. Part of that pressure on regulators is a result of past handling of product safety issues.
Continue ReadingIn October of 2018, the FDA released new draft guidance for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) on how to meet its seven key rules for ensuring the safety of our food supply. A month later, the nation was hit with yet another major food-borne outbreak – E. coli-contaminated romaine lettuce that killed five and sickened hundreds of consumers across 36 states.
Continue ReadingIn October, the FDA released new draft guidance for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) on how to meet its seven key rules for ensuring the safety of our food supply. A month later, the nation was hit with yet another major food-borne outbreak – E. coli-contaminated romaine lettuce that killed five and sickened hundreds of consumers across 36 states.
Continue ReadingOur Q2 2018 Recall Index found that recall activity in the food space increased in Q2, especially when it came to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food units, which rose more than 20 times over the previous quarter to nearly 213 million, mostly due to one large recall of salmonella-contaminated eggs. But other measurements also saw increases. It may come as a surprise, but those increases did not include the widely-publicized romaine lettuce issue.
Continue ReadingFood companies have many challenges to deal with on a regular basis: cost controls, the frequently changing health concerns of consumers, the need to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace, and more. In the midst of all those factors, the potential for a product recall may not be top-of-mind, especially for smaller companies and those who haven’t experienced a recall before. The top causes of food recalls, such as the discovery of potential bacterial contamination or undeclared allergens, happen fast.
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