What is Food Recall and why is it increasing at a rapid rate in the US

While food is an integral part of our existence, one also needs to understand that one wrong or rotten food can do major damage to the human body, which might lead to death. For instance, early this year, a New York-based woman who was allergic to peanuts died after eating mislabeled cookies containing peanuts. So, yes, one mistake can lead to major fallout, and that's why it is important for us to be fully aware of what we buy and eat.And to assist this process and make sure all good quality food items reach the market, every country has its own food regulatory bodies. In the US, this role is performed by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But, still, there are loopholes in the market that are leading to a major rise in food recalls in the US market. Wondering why? Let us find out.

A food recall is a process in which a food product is removed from the market or corrected due to the discovery of safety issues that could pose a risk to consumers and their health. These safety issues can include contamination with harmful bacteria, the presence of foreign objects, labeling errors, undeclared allergens, or other hazards that make the food unsafe to eat.


Microbiological Contamination: The presence of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria), viruses, or parasites that can cause foodborne illnesses.
Chemical Contamination: Contamination with harmful chemicals such as pesticides, toxins, or residues from cleaning agents.
Physical contamination: The presence of foreign objects like glass, metal, or plastic pieces in the food.
Allergen Contamination: Presence of undeclared allergens (e.g., peanuts, milk, eggs, soy) that could cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Mislabeling: incorrect labeling that might mislead consumers about the ingredients, nutritional content, or safety of the product.
Packaging Defects: Issues with packaging that can compromise the safety or quality of the food, such as seal failures or incorrect expiry dates.


As per reports, the major reason behind this shift is the dependency of the market on imports and the shift of production operations far from the market. It is reported that the three-quarters of their food items and half the quantity of vegetables required for the population are expected to come from outside by 2027, and that is one of the reasons for the increasing rate of food recall. It is reported that 16,000 pounds of pathogens were found in the food. The other two reasons for major food recalls in the US market are foreign objects in the food and the mislabeling of major food allergens.


As per experts, whenever you buy any type of food from outside that is meant to be cooked and then consumed, always follow the four steps to food safety, which are described below.
First of all, use running water to clean the food item thoroughly. Use clean water and sanitized hands to clean the food item.
Next is to separate the unwanted parts of the food packaging and also the chemicals that are layered on the product to keep it fresh. And that's why multiple rounds of cleaning are advised.
The next step is to cook the food on the desired heat or as prescribed, depending on the kind of food.
The last step is to let the food come down to room temperature or, if required, refrigerate it to make it fit for consumption.
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