Why Are There So Many Food Recalls Lately? What to Know About Food Safety Amid Startling Uptick

From finding metal wires in chicken to listeria outbreaks in deli meat, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is no stranger to food recalls. However, the rise of items being pulled from the shelves for allergens and various contaminants is alarming to some consumers, leaving many wondering what—if anything—is behind the increased recalls. Keep reading to find out the latest products that have been flagged, why food recalls have increased and how you can keep yourself safe. 

What is a food recall? 

“A recall is a method of removing or correcting products that are in violation of laws administered by the (FDA),” the FDA details. It involves removing specific products at the direct request of the company selling the food or beverage, the FDA itself or another authority. 

Recalls can happen for several reasons, with the main ones including the “discovery of organisms, including bacteria such as Salmonella or parasites such as Cyclospora, the discovery of foreign objects such as broken glass or metal or the discovery of a major allergen that does not appear on the product label,” according to Foodsafety.gov. 

Why are there so many food recalls lately?  

Food and beverage recalls declared by the FDA are always happening, but in recent years, they are more frequent than ever. Sometimes products can stay on the recall list for months or even years depending on the severity 

As of April 2025, more than 650 different foods and beverages have been recalled in the U.S. alone since 2017, mainly due to unlabeled allergens. Products include breakfast foods, fresh produce, sauces, frozen pizzas and certain cooking oils.  

One of the more recent recalls as of publication worrying consumers? Cabot Creamery issued a voluntary recall of its butter in April, citing potential fecal contamination.

Food

Chocolate Recall Issued Due to Undeclared Allergens—See the Details

In a flurry of recalls throughout January, chocolate lovers should be cautious when selecting their sweet treats. On December 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared a recall for Cal Yee Farm chocolate and yogurt products due to undeclared milk. Since then, the FDA has updated the recall to class I, the most […]

Recent food and drink recalls 

This issue extends beyond the U.S. The latest? Aldi has issued a “do not eat” warning after recalling one of its products due to allergy concerns across its U.K. stores. The supermarket issued such a notice due to its Inspired Cuisine Baby Potatoes with Herbs and Butter.

Packs of 385g with a use-by date of 12 April 2025 are the target of the latest recall, as it reportedly contains milk that is not mentioned on the label, with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) cautioning it could pose “a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents.” 

Additionally, the FDA has increased the recall of one of Frito-Lay’s most popular chips, noting they “could cause death,” WKRC reported. Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips were first recalled on March 26 after Frito-Lay voluntarily recalled a batch of products. A limited number of 13 oz. bags could contain undeclared milk in the form of nacho cheese, the manufacturing company said. 

There was a close call in January when vanilla soft serve ice cream mix from Mombo’s was voluntarily recalled due to potential food allergens, but the affected product was intercepted before reaching retailers. Manufacturer Arizona Foods Group voluntarily recalled the dessert because it may have contained egg. On February 21, the FDA identified the recall as Class I—the highest risk level as undeclared allergens consumed could cause severe or life-threatening reactions. 

In February, Aldi also pulled 400 cases of Happy Farms shredded cheese due to potential contamination. By March 19, the FDA had declared a class II classification citing that the cheese may have contained stainless steel fragments. 

A massive recall took place for nearly 200,000 cans of green beans sold exclusively at Target after a potential contamination risk was found. On March 13, the FDA issued a Class II recall notice for 197,808 cans of Good & Gather Cut Green Beans, citing concerns over foreign object contamination. 

Also in March, more than 75,000 bottles of International Delight creamers including cinnamon and hazelnut flavors were recalled due to premature spoilage issues and illness concerns in 31 states. 

And Little Leaf Farms issued a voluntary recall for certain Southwest Salad Kits due to the potential presence of undeclared fish and wheat allergens. While over 500 individual clamshell containers may have been impacted, the company estimated that fewer than 20 salad kits were affected, but all containers were recalled as a precaution. 

Food

FDA Issues Urgent Recall for Lactaid Milk Over Allergy Risk 

If you or someone you know has a nut allergy, particularly to almonds, there’s an urgent update you should know about. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a Class I recall—the highest level of alert—for several variations of Lactaid Milk due to the risk of undeclared almonds. The recall, initiated by HP […]

Allergens are the most common reason for food recalls

Deal of the Day

Rediscover the Joy of the Ride — No Balance Required — And Save 34%! View Deal

Oftentimes the reason products are taken off the shelves is because they’re missing the proper label. Foods that don’t have allergens listed pose risks to those with food sensitivities or allergies and can be damaging to their health. Currently, there are nine major allergens included in the FDA’s list that must be clearly labeled if they’re present in a food or beverage.

The Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act added sesame as a major food allergen in 2023, per the FDA. While it will take time to properly change everything, going forward sesame must be properly identified on food and supplement labels.

The other major allergens include milk, and eggs, fish like bass, flounder and cod, crustacean shellfish, like crab, lobster and shrimp, tree nuts like almonds, walnuts and pecans, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.  

How to protect yourself from food allergens 

Since most food recalls have been due to mislabeled or unlabeled allergens, it’s more important than ever to pay attention to the ingredients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than a quarter of adults and children in the U.S. have at least one allergy. 

Consumers should be extra careful when buying products, manufacturers might not be taking enough time and care to ensure that foods are labeled with the right information. It’s important to read every food label and double check the ingredients and allergens are clearly disclosed. It’s also recommended to look for any cross-contamination or alerts about the product specifically. One of the best things you can do is stick to the brands you know and trust if you’re worried about a potential allergen.