Franklin County

   May 2007
 

Food safety recalls

It is beginning to seem like the recalls are never ending. All the media attention from the national recalls have left many people wondering about the safety of the food supply.  

There are many safe guards in place to keep our food supply safe. The US Department of Agriculture inspects meat and poultry, and the Food and Drug Administration oversees the safety of the other food products. Only two tenths of the food supply has caused illness, but due to the millions of pounds of food consumed in the US each year, even this small percentage seems to create a lot of problems.

A recall is a voluntary removal of the food from distribution by the producer.  There are approximately 188 food recalls each year in the US.  In 2006 only seven recalled items were distributed in Missouri. So far in 2007, there have already been at least eight recalls that affected Missouri. Normally the number of recalls in Missouri is between 20 and 30 per year.

The most common reason for a recall is when an un-declared allergen might be in the food. If milk, eggs, soy, or nuts could be in the food or have come into contact with the food and it is not listed on the label, this could be very dangerous to people with these allergies. The food would not be unsafe, unless you have an allergy to the food that was not listed on the label. Since the undeclared allergens could be life threatening to some people these foods are subject to a recall.

Another reason for a recall is when break downs and mistakes occur in the food processing allowing the food to be contaminated with bacteria or some other substance that could cause illness. This was the case in the spinach and peanut butter recalls.  In these cases, bacteria that are toxic to humans and have the potential to cause illness came into contact with the food. The illness may be limited to diarrhea and vomiting for most people, but can lead to more serious complications, and possibly even death for other people.  The effects of these bacteria are usually worse for elderly, chronically ill people or children. Meat and poultry are responsible for more outbreaks of food borne illness.  However, the contamination of fresh produce affects a larger number of people. 

The number of recalls has increased dramatically since 1997. There are several reasons why there are more recalls. One reason that there are more recalls is the amount of food produced has increased. There is also better surveillance due to better lab detection capabilities and better computer tracking and matching. A few years ago the spinach or the peanut butter outbreaks may not have been identified. Recalls are issued for additional reasons, for instance, undeclared allergens may not have resulted in a recall in the past.

The food industry has made changes resulting in recalls that affect more people. It is considered a national recall if 11 states are involved. Today many products would be distributed over an 11 state area. Ingredients for a product may be brought in from many places throughout the country and then distributed even more widely across the country.

The food processors are also more aware of the risk associated with food bourne illness or allergic reactions. Huge financial settlements are causing companies to go further than regulations require, to avoid potential financial settlements. 

In addition to growers and producers, problems with food safety can also result during transportation, at supermarkets, in restaurants, and even at home.  If you suspect a problem with food, or wish to check on foods being recalled, the website is http://www.recalls.gov/food.html.

Some information was supplied by Russell Lilly, EPHS V, Bureau of Environmental Regulations and Licensure Division on Community and Public Health, Missouri Department of Health and Senior
Services.

                             

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		University of Missouri Extension Franklin County Site maintained by: Billie Jo Brenner, brennerbj@missouri.edu Last revised: 07/02/08