Is Your Dinner Putting You in Danger? The Food Recalls Rise Explained

Over the last several months, there’s been an alarming increase in food recalls and other bad news in food safety—and it’s turning America’s stomachs.

For example, earlier this year there was a mass-scale recall on several Boar’s Head deli products after a listeria contamination that led to 10 known deaths, as well as the hospitalizations of every known infected individual. The outbreak triggered a temporary warning from the government not to purchase any meat sliced at deli counters, along with a recall on salmon, frozen waffles, pancakes, and more.

Additionally, McDonald’s recently paused the use of certain ingredients after an E. coli outbreak was traced back to the restaurant chain.

Consumers should feel safe and confident eating the food they purchase, so why do so many food suppliers put us at risk?

Why Have Food Recalls Increased?

Our ability to detect contamination and food-borne illnesses has improved, which contributes to the growing number of reports. However, what causes these outbreaks remains the same—negligence.

If the proper precautions and food safety practices were put into action, we would see much fewer cases of foodborne illnesses. The Boar’s Head deli meat recall, for instance, was the result of a horrifically unclean facility in Virginia. According to inspection reports, there were blood puddles on the floor and ceiling fans spraying unidentified liquids on unopened products. There were also reports of insects, ants, cockroaches, trash, and meat residue on other plant surfaces. If Boar’s Head had invested in better training and routine inspections, this could have been avoided.

Cutting Corners

With a growing demand for ready-to-eat meals, food suppliers have responded with increasingly processed foods. As the food supply chain becomes more processed, it becomes more complex, creating more opportunities for contamination.

Food suppliers are also businesses, and to protect their bottom lines, they try to reduce expenses throughout the food handling process to maximize their profits. One way they do this is through “food fraud.”

Food fraud occurs when a manufacturer intentionally leaves out, alters, or adds something to food, such as mixing cheap vegetable oil with expensive olive oil and selling it as pure. 

This can also have serious health consequences. Hidden allergens in adulterated food can trigger life-threatening reactions. Some spices are mixed with non-spice materials or dyed with harmful chemicals. Some juices add “citric acid” and sweeteners to their product and sell it as 100% juice. “Citric acid” as a food additive is not natural citric acid; it is manufactured and derived from black mold. Studies have suggested it can contribute to the inflammation seen in asthma, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, autistic spectrum disorder, and fibromyalgia.

A Reluctance to Do Better

Our technology advancements can help us better monitor food contamination throughout the supply chain. However, many businesses are reluctant to adopt these new measures for fear of backlash if issues are discovered. 

According to Darin Detwiler, an associate teaching professor at Northeastern University and a former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food safety adviser, “If you talk about technologies, it doesn’t mean anything if no one has the courage to use it correctly and consistently.”

What Can I Do if I Have Been Affected by a Food Recall?

At Morgan & Morgan, we take corporate negligence very seriously, especially when it comes to the health and safety of consumers. For over 35 years, we have fought For the People and have recovered over $20 billion for our clients in the process. If recalled food made you sick, you may have a case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.