According to Stericycle, products recalled by the FDA were down, although units recalled were up, and the USDA recalls were the highest since Q1 2012. The company keeps track of food recalled in the U.S. for allergens, foreign material contamination, and bacterial contamination.
The FDA recalls numbered 105 in the last three months of 2014, which is the lowest number all year. But 13.8 million units of product were recalled, which is a 142% increase from the third quarter. Undeclared allergens were the main reason for recall, at 50% of the total number. Manufacturers need to be more aware of ingredients sources and the supply chain to keep track of these ingredients.
USDA issued 31 recalls for meat, poultry, and processed egg products, which is an increase of 48% from the third quarter. There were more than 2.1 million pounds of product recalled by the USDA in the last three months of 2014, 2.5 times more than the third quarter. And thirty-one products were affected by a single product recall.
The report also states that “2014 was a year of heightened recall awareness and activity.” But recall fatigue does take its toll on consumers. “Increased awareness does not always translate into consumers taking action when they are affected by a recall,” the report states.
