FDA Food Recalls by Unit Double in Third Quarter

According to data recently issued by Stericycle Expert Solutions, the number
of food recalls documented by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
during the third quarter (Q3) of 2013 declined 14 percent compared to the
previous quarter. Of the foods recalled, 44 percent, an increase of 8 percent
from the previous quarter, were classified as Class I recalls, which means they
can potentially cause illness or death. The volume of Q3 recalls—seven million
units—however, doubled the number of units recalled in Q2, with a 17-percent
increase in the number of companies involved. According to FDA, one recall affected 2.5 million units, three recalls affected between 500,000 and one million units, and eight recalls affected between 100,000 and 500,000 units. As in previous years, allergens were the single largest cause of food recalls, representing more than 40 percent of recalls reported during Q3. One company was involved in 24, or more than 9 percent, of recalls, in Q3.