60 Percent Recent US Food Product Recalls Due to Undeclared Food Allergens

On 19 August the ExpertRECALL Quarterly Index was published, summarizing key findings from recalls announced in the second quarter of 2013 in the United States (US). Among these findings, undeclared allergens have consistently been a top trend for US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) administered recalls for the last several quarters and data trends indicate those numbers will continue to rise (1).

Product Recalls Due to Undeclared Food Allergens

In the second quarter of 2013, 65 percent of recalls from the USDA were due to an undeclared allergen. Similarly, the FDA recorded that 60 percent of its recalls occurred due to undeclared allergens, which is an increase of 34 percent from the previous quarter. Undeclared allergens were the single largest cause in the second quarter with 11 recalls, followed by extraneous materials and Listeria, with two recalls each from the USDA. These results show that allergens continue to be a top recall trend quarter over quarter after they have consistently been a top trend for USDA and FDA recalls for the last six quarters (2).

Notice on Food Allergen Labeling

In April, the US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a notice (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/29-13.pdf) with new instructions for inspection program personnel (IPP) for how to verify that establishments are accurately labeling the eight most common food allergens. The FSIS reports its list of “Big 8” allergens – wheat, crustacean shellfish, eggs, fish, peanuts, milk, tree nuts and soybeans – account for 90% of all food allergy reactions. These allergens are designated as “major food allergens” by the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004 (http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/Allergens/default.htm). Food manufacturers must ensure that they are in complete compliance with all verification processes before an inspector arrives on site, as it is almost guaranteed that records will be audited and production processes will be observed on a more frequent basis.

SGS Survey on Food Allergens

SGS has launched a survey (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sgs_allergen) on “Current Industry Practices on Allergen Control and Management”. The main purpose of this survey is to understand current industry practices relating to allergen control and management. Sharing your current practices, issues and suggestions will help the industry and us to improve the consistency of allergen management, methods and practices. Please do not hesitate to take a few minutes to participate (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sgs_allergen).

References:

(1) ExpertRECALL Q2 Index Highlights (http://www.expertrecall.com/expertrecallq2-index-highlights-standards-inspection-pharma-food/)
(2) ExpertRECALL Quarterly Recall Index (http://www.expertrecall.com/wp-content/uploads/Q2_2013_ExpertRECALL-Index.pdf)

About SGS Food Safety Services

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For further information please contact the SGS experts.

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 75 000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1 500 offices and laboratories around the world.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Ron Wacker, PhD
Global Food Testing Business Development Manager
SGS Germany

t: +49 6039 4696
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.foodsafety.sgs.com

This release was published on openPR.