Are Food Safety Issues Getting Worse? No, Not Really.

This week, I was asked by a reporter why food safety issues are getting worse...whether that be recalls or outbreaks.  The conversation was in light of the Boar's Head deli meat recall after being linked to a large Listeria outbreak.  Why this outbreak is awful, it is one of the first Listeria outbreaks that have been linked to meat products in the last two years.  

A few things to consider when addressing this question.

• After looking at food-related outbreaks posted on CDC and FDA's website, there is no real increase in the number when looking at cases for the past several years, but there does seem to be a higher percentage of outbreaks where the causative agent has been identified.  Our regulatory agencies are doing a admirable job in improving the determination of the source of outbreaks.  At the same time, I have seen companies doing a better job to be in compliance with the HACCP-based regulations or 3rd party audit standards..
• Technology has improved identification and tracking of outbreaks.  Twenty years or more ago, many of these outbreaks would not have been identified as outbreaks.  CDC working with State partners utilize improved technology for identification of pathogens and communication to link related cases.
• Most recalls are not linked to outbreaks, but that is not always clear when announcements get published in the news..  There are normally a number of recalls each week, but they are most often related to things such as undeclared allergens which are most often discovered in the supply chain through observation, and not injury.
• Risk is not adequately addressed in news releases, and in many cases, overblown. For example,  many people will not be allergic to the undeclared allergen in a product, but one would not know that in the headline.  For example, Salad Recall Update as FDA Sets Highest Risk Level, ad the article states, "On August 7, the recall was classified by the FDA as Class I, which is the highest risk level.  These are issued when there is a "reasonable probability" that the use of, or exposure to, a product could "cause serious adverse health consequences or death.""  However, the issue is that the product contains undeclared almond and soy, certainly an issue for those who are allergic to these items, but not for others.
• Headlines used by the news media, including social media, present these outbreaks and recalls with a certain shock value.  Take this headline for example  - "FDA reclassifies nut recall to highest risk warning after testing positive for listeria" (article below) that was published on August 13th.   The recall was posted on the FDA website on 7/22/24.  There were no illnesses, but it seems that FDA reclassified this to Class I, which it should have been to start.  In this case, the product was walnuts, not a product that will not support the growth of Listeria and so poses.
• Recalls are often limited in scope in terms of distribution but receive national attention.  The walnut recall mentioned was limited to two states but receive national attention.
• We see recalls are posted and then reposted for weeks.  Many times, it is an online news source that posts recalls weeks after the initial posting.  This can make it seem like it is a new recall.  Without investigation by the reader, one may assume it is a new recall.  
• The regulatory agencies will often provide updates to an outbreak listing additional cases or announcing that the outbreak is now over, and this information may get picked up as news providers and posted as if this is a new issue.

In general, we are bombarded with notices on food safety, and without careful investigation by the reader, one may think that food safety issues are out of control.

There are over 330 million people in the US, and if we consider that people are hopefully eating 2 to 3 meals each day, the reported number of cases of foodborne illness are pretty small.  This is not to say it is unimportant, because all food should be safe.  However, to worry that our food supply is not safe...well, there are many other, more things to worry more about.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/fda-reclassifies-nut-recall-highest-risk-warning-after-testing-positive-listeria
FDA reclassifies nut recall to highest risk warning after testing positive for listeria
Shelled walnuts voluntarily recalled last month tested positive for listeria, FDA says

Product Recalls Published August 13, 2024 7:53am EDT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reclassified a nut recall as the highest health risk warning possible for potential listeria exposure.

The shelled walnuts from Stutz Packing Company in Indio, California, were initially voluntarily recalled by the company back in July. Last week, the FDA changed it to a "Class I," meaning that there is a "reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death," according to the agency.

The 1-pound packages were distributed to food bank warehouses in Texas and Arizona before being further distributed to smaller food banks, school lunch programs, shelters and prison food systems, a press release said.

The packages impacted are from lots 24171 1 or 24172 1, which are printed in black on the front of the bag. The UPC code is 7 15001 00908 1.

The reclassification did not state any illnesses or deaths related to the recall.

The bacterial risk was found during routine sampling of finished products. Stutz ceased production and distribution of the product back in July while both the company and FDA continued its investigation.

A listeria outbreak this summer linked to Boar's Head deli meats has killed three people and sickened dozens of others.

No other sizes, varieties or packages of shelled walnuts from Stutz are included in the recall.

Listeria is especially harmful to those who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system due to medical conditions or treatments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states.

Consumers who have the product should throw it out or return it to the location they received it from. Anyone with questions may contact Sasha Morales via email at smorales@stutzpacking.com, or call 760-230-9547 Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm PST.