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Food recalls can be a dangerous situation for consumers. From electronics to vehicles to the food we consume, no product is immune to the possibility of being recalled, but there are often additional concerns when an item you buy from the grocery store is found to be unsafe. Add to that the fact that the company knows that recalls can affect consumer confidence in its brand if it mishandles safety issues, so it’s normal to question what you should do when a food product is recalled.
Food recalls can be a particular problem, as concerns about illness tend to intensify. How can consumers protect themselves when food recalls occur? What are the avenues for compensation, if any, for those negatively impacted by this recall?
What to do if you have a recalled food product
According to FoodSafety.gov, the official website of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the first step in dealing with recalled products is not to panic. “Most food recalls are not related to foodborne illness outbreaks, and many are due to the potential for food contamination,” the website reads.
Matt Regusci, director of growth at ASI Food Safety, agrees. “Food and beverage products can be recalled for many different reasons,” Regusci told Yahoo Life. “It can be a simple labelling issue, or it can be a horrific multistate outbreak of pathogens.”
Experts say it’s better to be safe than sorry, even if the item recall is due to a simple labelling issue. The safest response to a recall is not to consume the product.
How can you protect yourself during a food recall?
Consumers have the right to know when food is recalled and why. Francine Shaw, chief operating officer of Savvy Food Safety, shared that many of the recalls are voluntary. “However, if a company chooses not to conduct a product recall, the FDA or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will have no other choice but to take the product off the shelves or stop processing the food,” Xiao said.
Products affected by the recall can sometimes be returned to the store for a refund. However, these refunds are local and usually determined by the supplier or consumer packaged goods (CPG) company. Regardless, when the recall occurs, all affected products are removed from store shelves or from restaurants where the item is being used. Consumers will also be alerted to the change through signage and reminders posted on the company’s website and social media pages.
Providing clear, concise instructions to consumers is just as important as recalling potentially dangerous products. The USDA’s food safety website has a page on recalls and outbreaks, and also posted a major alert on their Twitter account @foodsafetygov.
Important food safety basics
Some key food safety basics can also help consumers during a recall. Once a recalled product is discovered, the temptation to open and “inspect” the food can be overwhelming, but the viruses or bacteria that cause foodborne illness are often impossible to see, smell or taste.
Shaw says washing your hands before you start preparing food is one of the easiest things to do when it comes to basic food safety. Likewise, washing your hands after handling recalled products is a good way to reduce the chance of getting sick from contaminated products.
Clinical nutritionist and food safety expert Toby Amidor told YahooLife: “If someone has been eating the recalled product, they shouldn’t continue to eat the product. They can either return it to the store for credit, or discard it as directed in the recall notice. .”
“They should be monitored for symptoms of foodborne illness — such as vomiting or diarrhea — or allergic reactions, and they should contact their healthcare provider if needed,” Amido added.
How food brands restore consumer confidence
How a beloved brand handles voluntary or mandatory recalls can help or hinder public perception of that brand. “I’ve seen recalls handled badly and brands ruined; I’ve seen the opposite, companies handle recalls well, and consumers trust the company more after the recall,” Regusci said.
Communication is key, said Chris Harvey, senior vice president at third-party claims manager Sedgwick. “A communication strategy can be a key component in demonstrating that safety is a core priority for a brand,” Harvey said. “Clear and concise instructions are important to drive consumer response, as well as fair and timely remedies,” Harvey said. “If recalls are managed properly, they can help build trust and brand loyalty.”
Food recalls are on the decline
Food recalls may seem alarming, but they have declined markedly over the past five years, according to the FDA.
Data from Sedgwick shows that over the past five years, the most affected products are.
Eggs (207 million units recalled)
Supplements (185 million units recalled)
Prepared Foods (172 million recalled)
The main reasons for these recalls are undeclared allergens, bacterial contamination and foreign substances.
Brand transparency and effective communication are one of the main reasons consumers maintain or regain confidence in a brand following a recall. Peace of mind is an important aspect of maintaining public trust in a brand when other negative associations threaten consumer confidence.
