A series of high-profile food recalls this year captured public attention, raising questions about the safety of the U.S. food supply. When asked about the issue, public health officials contended the cases don’t point to a decline in food safety but rather a testament to improved detection methods and a robust recall system.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that the American food supply remains one of the safest globally. According to the FDA, the United States has significantly improved its standing in food safety indicators, moving up 25 positions since 2012 and achieving a joint first ranking for food safety in 2022, as measured by The Economist’s Global Food Security Index.
“Most recalls in the U.S. are carried out voluntarily by the product manufacturer, importer, or distributor,” Janell Goodwin, an FDA spokesperson, told NTD News in an emailed statement.
Goodwin said this approach by the industry, which is often initiated from internal sampling, findings, or consumer complaints, demonstrates a commitment to public safety.
FDA data shows that the number of food-related recall events in fiscal year 2024 is generally consistent with previous years, with 1,908 food and cosmetics products recalled in the fiscal year that ended in September, per FDA data.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes this sentiment, noting that the number of foodborne outbreaks investigated annually has remained relatively stable. “Overall, we’re not seeing more outbreaks compared to prepandemic levels,” Melissa Dibble, a CDC representative, said in a separate statement to NTD News. The agency investigated 84 multistate outbreaks in 2023, comparable to figures from 2019 and 2022. The CDC offered no overall data for their investigations in 2024.
Recalls This Year
Recent recalls have spanned various products, from fresh produce to packaged snacks and deli meats. In November, SunFed recalled fresh American cucumbers due to potential salmonella contamination, affecting multiple states. The recall resulted in subsequent actions by retailers and distributors, including Walmart, which recalled cucumber slices sold in 34 Texas stores.
In July, Boar’s Head recalled approximately 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to listeria contamination, which was attributed to 60 hospitalizations and 10 deaths, according to CDC data.
Other notable recalls include Frito-Lay’s withdrawal of certain Lay’s Classic Potato Chips due to undeclared milk allergens and 4Earth Farms’ recall of various vegetable products over E. coli concerns. Even major fast-food chains have had to deal with tainted products, with McDonald’s facing a multi-state E. coli outbreak linked to its romaine lettuce.
Despite such high-profile cases, the FDA said that the occurrence of recalls and outbreaks is a sign that manufacturers, importers, and distributors are actively monitoring issues and taking swift action when problems arise. “Consumers should know that recalls and outbreaks indicate that the problem has been identified and is being addressed,” Goodwin said.
Improved Detection Technologies
The health agency noted that improved detection technologies, particularly whole genome sequencing, have also played a role, allowing experts to better identify potential foodborne pathogens.
They said that such technology, coupled with collaboration among federal, state, and local partners, has allowed quicker intervention in outbreaks and a better understanding of how to prevent pathogens from entering the food supply.
Nevertheless, each recall brings potential economic consequences for the affected companies and heightened consumer anxiety.
For instance, the recent cucumber recalls affected multiple brands and retailers across several states. Walmart had to pull its Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices from 34 stores in Texas, while other retailers like Costco, Wegmans, and Albertsons were also impacted by the SunFed recall.
By far the most widespread among them all, the Boar’s Head listeria outbreak impacted hundreds of retailers nationwide, according to reports and public health agencies.
Other smaller and still notable recalls, such as the egg recall by Handsome Brook Farms, affected 10,800 retail units of Organic Pasture Raised 24-Count Eggs sold under Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand in five states.
Despite these challenges, food safety experts argue that the recall system is functioning as intended. “Recalls help get the food off the market quickly when something goes wrong,” Goodwin explained. Such a rapid response system plays a role in preventing potential illnesses and protecting public health, she said.
The agency noted that many food recalls are related to labeling issues, most notably concerning allergens. According to the FDA, allergens were responsible for 40 percent of total food and cosmetics recalls from 2011 to the present. A study of allergen-related recalls during fiscal years 2013-2019 found that about 70 percent of major food allergen recalls were due to labeling-associated errors, they said. The recent Frito-Lay recall of certain Lay’s Classic Potato Chips due to undeclared milk allergens is one of the latest examples.