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Published on: April 28, 2016
The science of recalls
Melvin N Kramer1, Daniel Coto, J David Weidner
1EHA Consulting Group, Inc., 7904 Starburst Dr. Baltimore, MD 21208, USA.
Abstract:
Morbidity due to foodborne illnesses in the US has decreased over the last ten years. During the same time period recalls affecting the meat and poultry industry have increased from 38 in 1993 to a peak of 128 in 2002. Recalls due to L. monocytogenes (LM) and E. coli O157:H7 have accounted for the majority of recalls in recent years, while incidence rates for these pathogens have decreased. Incidence of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 cases since 1996 have decreased 17% and 42% respectively while product positives in ready to eat foods for LM has decreased from 3% in 1995 to 0.75% in 2003. In response to the increasing number of recalls, members of the meat and poultry industry have developed recall plans to effectively manage a recall crisis. A detailed recall plan which is tested through mock scenarios is essential to reducing the economic and negative consumer confidence impact of recalls.
Insights
Foodborne illness morbidity has declined, yet meat and poultry recalls, particularly for Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7, have risen. Industry recall plans are crucial for managing crises and rebuilding consumer trust.
Area of Science:
- Food Safety
- Public Health
- Microbiology
Background:
- Foodborne illness morbidity in the US has decreased over the past decade.
- Meat and poultry recalls have significantly increased during the same period.
- Recalls are increasingly linked to pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes (LM) and E. coli O157:H7, despite declining incidence rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in foodborne illness morbidity and meat/poultry recalls.
- To investigate the pathogens driving recall increases.
- To highlight the importance of industry recall plans.
Main Methods:
- Trend analysis of foodborne illness incidence data.
- Analysis of meat and poultry recall data from 1993-2003.
- Review of pathogen-specific recall data and food positive rates.
Main Results:
- Incidence of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 cases decreased by 17% and 42% respectively since 1996.
- Ready-to-eat food positives for LM decreased from 3% in 1995 to 0.75% in 2003.
- Meat and poultry recalls peaked in 2002, with LM and E. coli O157:H7 dominating recent recalls.
Conclusions:
- Despite decreased pathogen incidence, recalls in the meat and poultry sector have increased.
- Effective, tested recall plans are essential for mitigating economic and consumer confidence impacts.
- Proactive crisis management strategies are vital for the food industry.
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