— OPINION —

By Roger Hancock, CEO of Recall InfoLink

The goal of food safety is safe food, as the adage goes, “If it isn’t safe, it isn’t food.” Recalls play a huge role in that effort. While consumers often view recalls as a negative, in reality, recalls can be pivotal to protect public safety. Recalls themselves shouldn’t be a source of fear for consumers — rather, they should fear the harm that may result from a failed corrective action. 

It’s a common perception for consumers to associate recalls with massive foodborne illness outbreaks, since that’s what dominates media headlines. There were hundreds of food recalls in 2024, and a recent study found that most severe foodborne illnesses (98 percent) and related deaths last year stemmed from just 13 pathogen-related food safety outbreaks – including deli meat and cucumbers – which were widely recalled. That means that most recalls weren’t associated with widespread illnesses or in national news headlines.

In reality, many recalls happen quietly, sometimes even before products reach store shelves. While not every recall involves a widespread crisis, each one plays a critical role in protecting people from potentially harmful food and reducing risk across the system. An effective food safety system certainly looks to prevent recalls, but it also makes sure that when needed, recalls are fast and effi...