Perspectives from Regulatory and Independent Agencies on Food Recalls in 2024
In 2024, the United States has witnessed a significant increase in food recalls, raising concerns about the safety of the food supply. This trend has prompted various explanations from regulatory bodies such as the FDA, CDC, and USDA, as well as independent agencies
and experts. Let's delve into the reasons behind this surge and compare the viewpoints of these different entities.
Regulatory Agencies' Perspectives
FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
The FDA has emphasized that the rise in food recalls is a sign of an effective food safety system. According to the FDA, the increase in recalls indicates that manufacturers, importers, and distributors are actively monitoring issues and taking swift action when problems are detected. The agency has implemented more stringent testing protocols and enhanced surveillance systems, which have improved the detection and reporting of contamination issues. The FDA also points out that the U.S. food supply remains one of the safest in the world, despite the increase in recalls.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
The CDC has highlighted the role of improved detection methods in identifying foodborne illnesses. Advances in laboratory testing have made it possible to recognize even small outbreaks, leading to more recalls. The CDC's FoodNet system has reported an increase in foodborne illnesses linked to various pathogens, which can be attributed to better testing and surveillance. The agency believes that the rise in recalls reflects the effectiveness of the public health system in identifying and addressing food safety issues.
USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
The USDA has noted that the globalization of the food supply chain and the scale of production operations are significant factors contributing to the rise in recalls. The agency has acknowledged the challenges posed by limited staffing and resources, which can impact on their ability to conduct thorough inspections and enforce safety regulations. The USDA also points out that the increase in recalls is partly due to the proactive measures taken by companies to recall products at the first sign of potential contamination.
Independent Agencies' Perspectives
Marketplace and AARP
Reports from independent sources like Marketplace and AARP have highlighted the complexity of the modern food supply chain as a significant factor in the rise of recalls. The reliance on global sourcing of ingredients and the increase in processed foods have made it more challenging to maintain consistent safety standards. Additionally, the rapid pace of change in food production and consumer behavior has outpaced policy changes, leading to more frequent recalls.
Public Health Laboratories
Sharon Shea, senior director of food safety at the Association for Public Health Laboratories, has noted that improvements in laboratory technology have made it possible to detect contamination issues more quickly and accurately. This has led to an increase in recalls as more issues are identified before products reach consumers. Shea also points out that the rise in recalls is a sign that the public health and regulatory system is more robust and effective.
Independent Experts and Agencies
Independent experts and agencies have provided additional insights into the reasons behind the rise in food recalls. According to Darin Detwiler, a food safety expert and associate teaching professor at Northeastern University, the increase in recalls can be attributed to several factors, including unsafe farming practices, unsanitary facilities, and the rise in convenience foods. Detwiler also points out that the restructuring of the FDA and the introduction of more advanced technology within the food industry have contributed to the increase in recalls.
Kurt Deibel, retired VP of Food Safety & Quality at KHC, recently commented on a LinkedIn post regarding the recent surge in recalls. He stated, "Recalls are not a good thing, but if warranted, they are the right and only thing to do. I have never met anyone who thinks recalls are good. However, insights gained from recalls can strengthen the food safety system, which is beneficial. Avoiding recalls is ideal. Outbreaks indicate a broken food safety system. Designing robust food safety measures requires care and collaboration. In-plant monitoring should be simple, and repetition is key to ensuring compliance every day. Problems arise when employees call off, and someone from a different department or a temp is assigned the job. Retraining before starting a new role is crucial. This area needs improvement, even if it means shutting down the line until the individual is ready. Although costly, the alternative can be far worse."
Frank Yiannas, M.P.H., the first former Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy & Response at the US FDA, recently authored a blog discussing the reasons behind the recent surge in major food recalls. You can read the blog here. In his blog, Yiannas states, "No, detecting outbreaks and illnesses is NOT a sign that our food safety system is working. Imagine telling that to a victim of a foodborne illness or those who have lost a family member due to contaminated food?!"
He further emphasizes, "In no other profession, whether it’s the manufacturing of medical equipment, medicines, or airplane parts, would we accept the notion that recalls are a sign that the system is working – neither should we in food."
Yiannas asserts, "NO, foodborne outbreaks and food recalls are NOT a sign that the system is working. While I do believe that on balance our food system is generally safe (when you think about food consumption on a per capita basis), I also believe that there are too many foodborne outbreaks, illnesses, and recalls… and that there is more the public and private sector CAN and MUST do. Consumers expect and deserve that of us. But it begins with an unwillingness to accept the status quo."
D.L. Newslow & Associates, Inc.
In conclusion: Our team agrees that the increase in food recalls in 2024 can be attributed to a combination of factors, including improved detection methods, the globalization of the food supply chain, larger production operations, and proactive measures by companies. While regulatory agencies like the FDA, CDC, and USDA emphasize that the rise in recalls reflects the effectiveness of the food safety system, independent experts highlight the challenges posed by the complexity of the modern food supply chain and the rapid pace of change in food production and consumer behavior.
As an industry, we must do everything possible to ensure that our products are safe for consumption. We may have a process for recalling tainted products, but this is not the solution. The solution is to be proactive and produce safe products. Jon Porter stated in the 80s that every 200th meal will get us. In those days, very few sicknesses were traced back to a foodborne illness. That is what has changed. We know so much more about foodborne illnesses, which results in the recalls and massive information on foodborne illnesses. That isn’t helping us be safer; it is just making us aware and, through recalls, hopefully saving lives.
The important task is to manufacture, ship, store, and deliver to individuals a safe product. We must fix the issues at the source applying current knowledge, technology, equipment, and education to accomplish this. As long as 98% plus recalls are traced back to lack of or ineffective prerequisite programs, we will continue to have issues with foodborne outbreaks
Ultimately, the surge in food recalls underscores the importance of maintaining rigorous food safety standards and staying vigilant in monitoring and addressing potential contamination issues. As consumers, staying informed and following food safety guidelines can help us navigate these challenges and maintain confidence in the safety of our food supply.
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