Recalls of meat products appear to be on the rise. After years of incredibly impressive statistics regarding the numbers of annual recalls of USDA-regulated products, the trends may be shifting. Between 2015 and 2019, industry was routinely seeing nearly 150 annual recalls. In 2020, the number perceptibly dropped to a low of only 35. In 2021 there were only 46 recalls, and in 2022 there was a total of only 45. These were incredibly honorable numbers for an industry that produces products which are inherently high-risk.

With only nine and a half months of 2023 having passed, there have already been a total of 46 recalls of USDA-regulated products this year. That would put the meat and poultry industry on pace to see nearly 60 recalls this year. If those numbers hold, that would represent a significant increase over the remarkable accomplishments of previous years.

So, what have been the main drivers of recalls this year? Of the 46 total recalls, 40 were Class I recalls. Four recalls were caused by the presence of pathogens (two for E. coli O103, one for E. coli O157:H7, and one for Listeria monocytogenes in a Ready to Eat sausage product). Thirteen of the total recalls were caused by the presence of undeclared allergens (five for Soy, four for milk, two for egg, one for tree nuts, and one for wheat). Seven recalls were caused by the presence of foreign material, involving plastic, bone, metal, and rubber. The remainder of recalls were caused by various inspection and quality issues, including product produced without the benefit of USDA oversight and inspection.

Moving forward, throughout the remainder of 2023 and into 2024, I predict the total numbers of USDA-regulated product recalls will continue to increase. Indeed, industry may even see the pre-covid averages of approximately 150 annual recalls return. What this should teach us is that, with extreme vigilance, the industry can (and has proven to) do an excellent job in producing safe product while limiting risk and exposure. What this is should also teach us is that, if industry does not remain extremely vigilant, risk and exposure will increase significantly.

So, we should all take a moment to recognize how blessed we have been, and then check, recheck, and triple check our programs and execution of those programs to ensure that our own companies are not the ones contributing to this year’s rising recall trends. Indeed, with a fresh set of eyes, we might even notice and alleviate any issues which could spiral into a recall scenario.

Happy Monday, and good luck as we run out the remainder of 2023!

Industry is meating more recalls in 2023

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