Why Are There So Many Recalls Right Now?

Deli meats. Apple juice. Eggs. Cinnamon. Vegetables. Plant-based milk. Coffee. Cheese. Baby food. All of these food categories have been recalled this year—and not spanning from the start of 2024, but since June.

As someone that has been covering recalls for EatingWell since 2022, I will say recalls are more common than you may think. However, the widespread nationwide and at times international outbreaks has been quite absurd. Has something changed? Why are there different alerts every week on a new foodborne illness to worry about?

I talked to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) spokesperson Janell Goodwin. I asked her why we are noticing more recalls than usual, and if consumers should be worried about it. Here’s what she had to say.

Why Are There So Many Recalls?

Simply put, recalls are a buzzy topic at the moment due to the huge deli meat recall earlier this summer. But recalls regularly occur, often without nationwide coverage, and as Goodwin notes, there isn’t a spike when compared to previous years.

“The FDA takes its responsibility seriously to ensure the safety and proper labeling of the foods we eat,” Goodwin tells EatingWell. “While there may be a perception of more recalls, the number of food related recalls in FY 2024 is generally consistent with years past.” She even provided this chart to show the comparison between the amount of recalls in 2024 versus the amount of recalls in each year since 2012:

While it’s positive to see that there have been fewer recalls in the U.S. this year than in 2023 or 2022, it’s still concerning to see that there are 440 recall events. That’s over one recall a day on food, medication and necessary health equipment. This appears to be an average amount of recalls over the last 8 years, and while it’s trendy now for news outlets to be covering these announcements, this may shift. That’s why it’s crucial for consumers to stay informed about the latest recalls.

“It is important that consumers be aware of recalls because recalled foods may cause injury or illness,” Goodwin explains.

I Have a Recalled Product. What Do I Do?

If you have a recalled item in your kitchen, here’s what you need to, per Goodwin’s advice.

“If a consumer believes they have a recalled food product in their possession, they should first ensure that they have read the recall notice carefully and follow any product-specific instructions,” she says. “Often, recalled products may be returned to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. If not, dispose of the product properly—if it’s contaminated, wrap it securely before putting it in the trash and then wash hands thoroughly. Do not give the product to others, such as a food bank or a pet.”

Once you have removed the product from your home, be sure to wash your hands and properly clean all surfaces and food that may have been in contact with the recalled item, especially if the food was recalled due to undeclared allergens or foodborne bacterias like Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes or E. coli. 

“Wash with soap and water the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops and utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods,” Goodwin recommends. “Then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used.” Be sure to wash your hands after these cleaning procedures.

The Bottom Line

While recall trends aren’t skyrocketing like they seem, it’s important to keep food safety top of mind. Goodwin says, “Consumers should know that while recalls may seem daunting, they indicate that the problem has been identified and is being fixed.” EatingWell will be sure to keep you posted on the latest food recalls. It’s also important to constantly check the FDA and USDA’s FSIS recall pages to stay up to date on recent outbreaks.