When you pick up groceries at the store, you probably don’t expect them to pose a health risk. But every year, hundreds of food products are recalled in the U.S. due to contamination, mislabeling, or other safety concerns. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which oversees the majority of the nation’s food supply, tracks and enforces these recalls to protect public health. Understanding the most common causes can help consumers stay informed and safe.
Undeclared Allergens
One of the most frequent causes of food recalls in the United States is the presence of undeclared allergens. Food manufacturers are legally required to label products that contain any of the major allergens, including milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.
When a product contains one of these allergens but it’s not listed on the label, it poses a serious health risk to allergic individuals. These recalls often happen due to packaging errors, cross-contamination during production, or ingredient changes that aren’t reflected on the label.
Bacterial Contamination
Bacterial contamination is another leading cause of recalls. Harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli can cause severe illness or even death, particularly in young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Contamination can occur at various stages of food processing, from improper handling of raw materials to unsanitary manufacturing environments. The FDA issues recalls as soon as contamination is detected through routine testing or after illnesses are reported and traced back to a specific food item.
Foreign Objects in Food
It may sound shocking, but foreign materials like pieces of plastic, metal, or glass occasionally make their way into packaged food products. These incidents are usually due to equipment malfunctions or human error during the manufacturing or packaging process.
Even small fragments can pose choking hazards or cause internal injury, prompting immediate recalls. The FDA considers the presence of any foreign object in food to be a serious safety issue requiring swift action.
Mislabeling and Packaging Errors
Incorrect labeling, aside from missing allergens, is another common cause of recalls. This includes wrong ingredient lists, incorrect expiration dates, or even products being placed in the wrong packaging entirely.
For instance, if a product labeled as “vegan” contains dairy, or a meat product is mislabeled with the wrong nutritional information, the FDA may step in to issue a recall. Mislabeling may not always pose a direct health risk, but it undermines consumer trust and violates federal labeling standards.
Chemical Contamination
Recalls also occur due to chemical contamination, which includes the presence of non-approved food additives, pesticide residues above allowable limits, or the migration of harmful substances from packaging materials into food.
These contaminants can cause health problems over time, especially if consumed in large quantities. While less common than biological contamination or allergen issues, chemical-related recalls are taken seriously due to the long-term health risks they pose.
Manufacturing and Processing Violations
Sometimes, the FDA recalls food not because of a specific contaminant but because of unsanitary or unsafe production practices. If inspections reveal that a facility fails to meet safety standards—for example, improper refrigeration, pest infestations, or unclean surfaces—the FDA may order a recall of all products made in that facility. These recalls are often preventative, meant to protect consumers before any illnesses are reported.
