Food recalls can be devastating to a food manufacturer. Going through a recall can be expensive and time-consuming, not to mention the damage that a recall can have on a company’s brand. The risk of food recalls and causing food-borne illness outbreaks are one of the major challenges of food manufacturers including meat and poultry processors. However, risks can be eliminated when cutting-edge food traceability practices are followed.

In this article, we’ve compiled key industry food recalls and insights from 2021. Hopefully, this will be a valuable resource for food manufacturers as they watch out for the potential dangers in 2022.

Before we begin, take a look at how USDA/FSIS categorizes food recalls in terms of level of risk:

USDA Recall Classifications

CLASS I - HIGH OR MEDIUM RISK

This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.

CLASS II - LOW RISK

This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.

CLASS III - MARGINAL RISK

This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.

2021 Food Recalls from the U.S.

According to FSIS data, in 2021 there was 63 food recalls in the United States. These recalls have varied in their level of severity, but it’s important to note that the majority of the recalls were a CLASS I recall. Here is how the 61 recalls from 2021 break down:

• 38 CLASS I recalls

• 9 CLASS II recalls

• 16 CLASS III recalls

Which US states had the most food recalls in 2021?

It’s also important to note which states had food recalls over the year. On a positive note, not every US state had a food recall in 2021. There were only 10 US states that had a food recall issue in the past year.

• California
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington

What were some of the top causes for food recalls in 2021?

According to FSIS, there are five different types of food recall causes. But there’s one that topped the list in 2021, product contamination. Here are some of the other causes and how many times they led to an actual recall in the US:

• Product Contamination (18)

• Import Violation (7)

• Produced Without Benefit of Inspection (7)

• Misbranding (6)

• Unreported Allergens (3)

Let’s take a look back at some of the recall events from each category:

1. Product Contamination: Recall by a large processing plant for pepperoni products due to possible Bacillus Cereus contamination.
   Class: I
   Date: TUE, 12/14/2021 – CURRENT
   State:
   Status: Active
   
   IMPACTED PRODUCTS
   8-OZ. PLASTIC SHRINK-WRAPPED PACKAGES CONTAINING UNSLICED PEPPERONI “MARGHERITA PEPPERONI” WITH LOT CODE P1931C AND A “USE BY DATE” OF 12-14-21 ARE REPRESENTED ON THE LABEL.
2. Imported Without Benefit of Inspection: Recall on frozen raw lamb products imported without the benefit of import inspection
   Class: I
   State: PA
   Date: THU, 10/21/2021 – CURRENT
   Status: Active
   
   IMPACTED PRODUCTS
   24,461 POUNDS OF FROZEN RAW LAMB SHOULDER
3. Produced Without Benefit of Inspection: Recall on frozen, fully cooked beef and chicken empanada products packaged without Benefit of Inspection.
   Class: I
   State: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
   Date: MON, 09/13/2021 – CURRENT
   Status: Active
   
   IMPACTED PRODUCTS
   1-LB. ZIP-LOCK BAGS OR CLEAR, PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH “SAS FOOD EMPANADAS DE POLLO CHICKEN PATTIES.” 1-LB. ZIP-LOCK BAGS OR CLEAR, PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH “…EMPANADAS DE CARNE BEEF PATTIES.”
4. Misbranding & Unreported Allergens: Minestrone soup product due to misbranding and undeclared allergens
   Class: I
   State: WA
   Date: MON, 05/17/2021 – CURRENT
   Status: Active
   IMPACTED PRODUCTS
   4-LB. TUBS CONTAINING “CHEF FRANCISCO MINESTRONE CONDENSED SOUP” WITH A “… VEGETABLE BEEF AND BARLEY CONDENSED SOUP” LABEL WITH LOT CODE LD28120FT1 REPRESENTED ON THE LABEL.

***Source: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/***

Where can you find out more information on best practices around recall management?

Carlisle Technology has served the food industry for over 35 years. Our solutions help food manufacturers reduce the risks presented by product recalls. We’ve also put together a content library that discusses different aspects of recall management and food safety. If you’re looking for more information, please check out our website. Here are a few links to some of our resources:

1. Food Traceability Software - Carlisle Technology, we wrote the book!
2. Carlisle Technology: Blog - Empowering and Educating

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.

Written by: Can Malay, SEO Specialist - Carlisle Technology

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