Undeclared Allergens, Bacterial Contamination Top Q1 2020 Recalls

Companies are urged to use the time during the COVID-19 pandemic to reassess their supply chain and update their recall plan.

The COVID-19 crisis has led to supply chain management challenges for food manufacturers and processors, ingredient suppliers and vendors, and regulators. In its Q1 2020 Recall Index, experts from Stericycle advise that companies use this time to take a closer look at their supply chain processes and reevaluate their recall plan.

“Companies in the food industry have their work cut out for them during this outbreak and for months after,” the report states. “But the key is to focus intensely on the basics. It’s too easy to assume food safety protocols and quality controls are followed as strictly and uniformly as they always are. Use this time wisely to recheck your supply chain, review your food-safety processes and update your recall plan.”

FDA Recalls: Notable Numbers (Q1 2020)

• 141 recalls affecting more than 8.8 units
• Undeclared allergens: 39.7% of recalls. The top cause of recalls for the 11th consecutive quarter
• Bacterial contamination: 58.1% of recalls by number of impacted units
• Nearly 20% of fresh and processed food recalls impacted products distributed nationwide

USDA Recalls: Notable Numbers (Q1 2020)

• 6 recalls impacting 22,500 pounds of product
• More than half of recalled pounds were a result of lack of inspection
• Recalls dropped nearly 79%
• Undeclared allergens: 4 recalls