Food Recalls and Outbreaks: What You Need to Know

Food Recalls

A food recall happens when a product is removed from the market due to safety concerns. This can happen for several reasons, including:

  • Contamination (bacterial, chemical, or physical)
  • Mislabeling (such as undeclared allergens)
  • Presence of foreign objects (like metal or plastic)
  • Improper processing (which could lead to spoilage or foodborne illness)

Recalls can be voluntary (initiated by the manufacturer) or mandatory (ordered by government agencies like the FDA or USDA in the U.S.).

Foodborne Outbreaks

A foodborne outbreak happens when two or more people get sick from consuming the same contaminated food. Common causes include:

  • Bacterial contamination (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria)
  • Viral contamination (e.g., Norovirus, Hepatitis A)
  • Toxins or parasites

Outbreaks often lead to food recalls, but not all recalls result in an outbreak. Government agencies investigate outbreaks to identify the source and prevent further illnesses.

Agencies Responsible For Food Recalls

In the U.S., several government agencies are responsible for issuing food recalls and monitoring foodborne outbreaks:

1. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The FDA oversees most food products (except meat, poultry, and some egg products).

It handles recalls for processed foods, seafood, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and dietary supplements.

It also investigates outbreaks linked to FDA-regulated foods.

Website: www.fda.gov

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

The USDA regulates meat, poultry, and processed egg products.

It issues recalls and public health alerts related to USDA-regulated foods.

Website: www.fsis.usda.gov

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC tracks and investigates foodborne outbreaks in collaboration with FDA and USDA.

It provides public health alerts and safety guidelines.

Website: www.cdc.gov

4. State and Local Health Departments

Every state has its local county departments that assist in outbreak investigations and enforce food safety regulations at the regional level.

Latest Food Recalls

Please check here for the latest recalls by the FDA and USDA: