Food recalls are always a critical issue in the meat processing industry, given their significant impact on both businesses and consumers. In this post, we’ve gathered and analyzed the food recalls that occurred year-to-date (YTD) in October 2024 across Canada, specifically focusing on trends affecting meat processors. Understanding major food recall patterns can help meat processing businesses avoid costly mistakes and ensure the safety of their products.

As of October 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued 124 food recall warnings, with 20 recalls in the meat and poultry category. These recalls were primarily due to microbial contamination, undeclared allergens, and foreign materials. On the positive side, meat processors can better protect their operations and customers by staying aware of these trends.

How many recalls were there in the meat and poultry category in 2024?

So far, there have been 20 recalls in the meat and poultry category, which can be further broken down into:

• Processed meat: 11 recalls
• Frozen meat: 3 recalls
• Eggs: 1 recall
• Other: 5

These recalls highlight a range of safety concerns, including microbial contamination, extraneous materials, and undeclared allergens.

Insights and Observations for the Meat Industry

Microbial contamination, particularly Listeria monocytogenes, continues to be a major issue in the meat industry, especially with processed meats. For example, various brands of beef jelly tongue products were recalled due to Listeria contamination.

Undeclared allergens in meat products, such as egg, soy, and gluten, have led to multiple recalls. This highlights the need for stricter labeling protocols in meat production to protect consumers with allergies.

Extraneous materials, like plastic, have also been a recurring issue. Products like Pizza Flavoured Chicken Nuggets and Canada 653 brand ground meat were recalled due to plastic contamination, which can pose serious physical risks to consumers.

What are some specific examples of meat recalls in 2024?

Here are some notable examples of meat recalls this year:

• Various brands of beef jelly tongue products:
  • Issue: Microbial contamination - Listeria monocytogenes
  • Date: Last updated 2024-10-07
  • Distribution: Ontario
  • Action: Consumers are advised not to consume, use, sell, serve, or distribute the recalled products due to the risk of listeriosis.
• Certain Pizza Flavoured Chicken Nuggets:
  • Issue: Extraneous material - Plastic contamination
  • Date: Last updated 2024-10-03
  • Distribution: National
  • Action: The recall is due to pieces of plastic found in the product, posing a potential choking hazard.
• Johnsonville brand Beer Bratwurst:
  • Issue: Undeclared allergen - Gluten
  • Date: Last updated 2024-06-17
  • Distribution: National
  • Action: The product was recalled for containing gluten, which was not listed on the label, posing a risk to individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
• Canada 653 brand ground meat:
  • Issue: Extraneous material - Plastic contamination
  • Date: Last updated 2024-03-21
  • Distribution: British Columbia, Yukon
  • Action: Consumers are advised to avoid the product due to plastic pieces being found in the meat.
• One World Foods brand Cajun BBQ Chicken Burgers:
  • Issue: Undeclared allergens - Egg and Soy
  • Date: Last updated 2024-04-16
  • Distribution: Ontario
  • Action: The product was recalled due to undeclared egg and soy, posing a risk for individuals with egg and soy allergies.

For the complete list of recalls, see the CFIA recall database.

How many total food recall warnings were issued in Canada in 2024?

As of October 2024, a total of 124 food recalls have been issued in Canada. These recalls span a variety of food categories, each posing different levels of risk to public health.

What types of food were recalled the most?

The food categories with the most recalls include:

• Meat and Poultry: 20 recalls
• Other (miscellaneous food items): 16 recalls
• Beverages: 15 recalls
• Fruits and Vegetables: 14 recalls
• Candy, Confectionary, Snacks, and Sweeteners: 13 recalls
• Multiple Food Items: 10 recalls
• Dairy: 8 recalls
• Fish and Seafood: 8 recalls
• Herbs and Spices: 8 recalls
• Condiments: 3 recalls
• Eggs: 3 recalls
• Nuts, Grains, and Seeds: 3 recalls
• Grain Products: 2 recalls
• Infant Products: 2 recalls

Find all the details on the CFIA recall database.

What are the trends in food recalls by month in 2024?

Food recalls in Canada have been relatively consistent throughout the year, with spikes during specific months. Here’s a breakdown of the recalls per month in 2024:

• October: 2 recalls (to date)
• September: 15 recalls
• August: 10 recalls
• July: 9 recalls
• June: 15 recalls
• May: 10 recalls
• April: 10 recalls
• March: 18 recalls
• February: 18 recalls
• January: 17 recalls

March and February experienced the highest number of recalls, suggesting that food safety challenges might increase during the colder months, possibly due to issues in storage and handling.

How does the food recall process work in Canada?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for monitoring and issuing recalls when food safety risks are identified. The process includes:

• Detection and Reporting: The identification of a food safety issue can come from manufacturers, routine inspections, or consumer complaints.
• Risk Assessment: The CFIA evaluates the potential health risks associated with the product.
• Recall Notification: Once a product is deemed unsafe, a recall is issued, and public notices are sent out.
• Product Removal: Retailers and distributors are instructed to remove the product from shelves.
• Follow-up: The CFIA monitors the recall process to ensure that all affected products are removed from the supply chain.

For more in-depth information, you can view the official CFIA publication.

What are the classifications of food recalls?

Food recalls are classified by the CFIA based on the severity of the health risk:

• Class 1 (High Risk): 36 recalls
  These recalls are related to severe health risks, including contamination with pathogens like Listeria. For example, the beef jelly tongue recall was a Class 1 due to the risk of serious illness from Listeria.
• Class 2 (Moderate Risk): 53 recalls
  Recalls in this class, such as the Canada 653 ground meat contaminated with plastic, involve less immediate danger but still pose a health hazard.
• Class 3 (Low Risk): 30 recalls
  Class 3 recalls, like those for labeling errors such as the Johnsonville Beer Bratwurst with undeclared gluten, are considered lower risk but still significant for individuals with allergies or intolerances.

About Carlisle Technology

Carlisle Technology is a solution integrator that brings together hardware and software to create turn-key food traceability solutions. Our plant-floor product weighing and labeling solutions reduce human error and streamline plant-floor production. Carlisle Technology’s main software suite, Symphony, provides end-to-end traceability, from raw material receiving through to finished goods packaging. Symphony empowers food manufacturers to respond quickly when a recall event occurs. Using a tech-enabled traceability system, like Symphony, helps manufacturers adhere to government regulations and provide safe food to consumers. For more insights on the meat industry, check out our post on meat consumption trends in Canada.

Written by: Can Malay, Marketing Specialist – Carlisle Technology

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