When it comes to OTC pharmaceuticals and most personal care products, we’ve become accustomed to breaking layers of plastic bands, packaging seals and shrink-wrapped liners, whether opening a new bottle of ibuprofen or a fresh jar of moisturizer. When that seal is broken by someone other than us, we’re warned and conditioned to think that foul play has probably occurred. We understand that the product could be adulterated, contaminated or otherwise altered, rendering it unsafe.
Continue ReadingACConventional wisdom suggests that automation and robotics should make products safer by removing the potential for human error adding more precision to production. But some industries are finding that automation is a double-edged sword. The food industry, in particular, has experienced a string of product recalls whose origins can be traced back to automated systems. Take factory farming, for example. Food Quality & Safety Magazine
Continue ReadingOn January 14th, the CDC reported the conclusion of an outbreak of Salmonella Agbeni illnesses that initially began in November of last year. The outbreak of Salmonella – which can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps and can result in death if left untreated – was linked to four types of Duncan Hines boxed cake mix.
Continue ReadingOf all the factors that impact recall response rates, including age of the product, frequency of use, and price, direct notifications are the single greatest determiner. But that means consumer product manufacturers facing a recall need contact information, such as a home address, an email, or a phone number. Traditionally, that has meant that high product registration rates were necessary to facilitate these notifications.
Continue ReadingIf you work in an office setting, chances are you’re familiar with “corporate speak.” Synergy. Ecosystem. Silos. The list goes on and on. In some settings, they are harmless – even useful, depending on whom you ask. But there is one place you should ban all flowery jargon: recall communications. While recall announcements should never be too casual or watered down, it is crucial that they be reported clearly.
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