NO ONE’S PERFECT

Increase in food recalls shows our food system is working.

By Aaron Putze, APR

January is quickly fading. So, too, are many resolutions that accompanied the ringing in of the new year.

If you’re among those who’ve settled back into some routines or habits you resolved to ditch as the ball dropped in Times Square, don’t be discouraged. By Jan. 12, surveys find the majority of New Year’s resolutions have begun to wane for the majority of Americans. Come Feb. 1, most become a distant memory.

Goes to show we’re not perfect.

Come to think of it, neither is Whole Foods.

I was reminded of this recently when I heard the Austin, Texasbased supermarket chain was voluntarily recalling its raspberry cheesecake Italian Gelato. The reason: It contained egg not listed on the product label. The situation was discovered after the grocer noticed that other products were mistakenly packed by its supplier in containers labeled for the raspberry cheesecake creation.

As the parent of children with food allergies, I know all too well the threat an unlisted ingredient can

pose. It was also a reminder that even Whole Foods’ suppliers make mistakes.

Food recalls are serious business. And there have been notable ones over the years involving a variety of products, including beef, peanuts, eggs, lettuce, turkey, chicken and hot dogs. No product is immune, as food safety issues have arose involving such fan favorites as chocolate chip cookie batter, frozen meals and mac ‘n cheese (a staple of college students everywhere!).

If you think the number of food recalls reported annually is on the rise, you’re right. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have reported a spike in product recalls over the past 15 years.

Undeclared allergens account for around 40% of recalls while about one-third involve bacterial contamination, including Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes. Another 10% can be attributed to mislabeled food.

The logical question is: why the increase?

There are about as many reasons as there are for calling it quits on a New Year’s resolution.

Food safety experts and authors cite a long list of potential culprits. The most likely, they agree, are the technological improvements that have been made in food testing over the past 20 years. The U.S. food industry spends more than $20 billion annually in testing services. That’s a lot of cash. And this amount is sure to increase as consumer wants, expectations and susceptibility to food allergens continue to evolve.

Better technology is a game-changer – for life and food safety. Enhanced methods of detection and quicker turnaround times for results translate into more and speedier

food recalls. Additional regulations, safeguards and enforcement drive improved food safety detection and surveillance. Add to that, more aggressive reporting and the 24/7 news cycle (and the fact that everyone eats) and you have the perfect recipe for greater publicity and awareness of safety issues involving food … for humans and pets!

So, should you worry about the safety of your next meal, snack or beverage? How you answer is likely as varied as the breakfast cereal options available at your favorite supermarket.

that worry and fear pose a much greater threat to human health than what’s in your refrigerator.

Come to think of it, the increase in the number of food recalls gives me faith that our food system is functioning at a very high level. Food is often recalled voluntarily out of an abundance of caution. Trust, after all, between a brand and its consumers is paramount. Perspective matters, too. When I think of the billions of food items available for consumption annually, the number recalled seems relatively puny. Again, it’s a matter of perspective.

Experience tells me the things we tend to worry about most rarely occur. Now, I’ll never be confused for a doctor, but I’m inclined to think

Now, pardon me while I take a break from writing to hit the treadmill. I have a New Year’s resolution I’m still trying to keep!

Aaron Putze, APR, serves as senior director of information and education for the Iowa Soybean Association. He was raised on a farm near West Bend and lives in Waukee with his wife Crystal and children Garrett, Grant and Jaelyn.

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