The Rise of Recalled Food Products: What Can We Eat Anymore?
Updated: Sep 2
Written by Destiny Vickerie
Have you ever questioned whether or not the seemingly safe foods you eat on a daily basis are actually safe for consumption? If you haven’t thought about it in depth, consider this: the very foods and drinks you have in your fridge may be recalled by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). Yes, I know, even our precious ice pops are being reined in. If all of the foods that we have grown to love are potentially harmful, what do we do next?
As of yet, the internet has surprised the masses with new information concerning popular food items and their likelihood of posing health risks to consumers. This breaking news makes it exceedingly hard for us not to be left with questions about what is even good and safe enough to eat.
Unpacking the Word “Recall”
Now, before we go down a deep rabbit hole, let’s break down the definition of "recall." It is important to understand what this term means and how certain products are determined as unsafe. According to FoodSafety.Gov, food producers remove particular items from sale if they believe that they are contaminants capable of making their consumers sick or ill. If a food item is recalled, it is most likely due to the following:
Bacteria-like organisms are found.
Foreign objects like glass are found.
Allergens that are not visible on labeling are found.
Well, What’s Going On?
To that effect, from June to the middle of August, the FDA released a huge wave of recalled products. If you know what I’m talking about, it was a huge surprise to see so many of our well-known and sought-after items being brought up in this way. I was shocked because some of the foods listed are what I have eaten in the past and continue to eat from time to time. Here are a couple of the products I saw and audibly gasped at:
Morningstar Farms: Plant-Based Buffalo Chik-n Nuggets and Hot and Spicy Sausage Patties
Outshine Fruit Bars
Whole Foods Market: Finished products such as dips, salsa, guacamole, etc., containing jalapeños.
Iceberg Lettuce
Keep in mind, these are only a small list of brands and products among the huge list of items that have been recalled throughout the year. However, it is only recently that some were found to be more harmful than others. Let me break this down for you (does a cool dance move). Earlier this month, and throughout the year, there has been an outbreak investigation of Salmonella, especially in products that contain jalapeños. This public health announcement was made by the FSIS (The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service) on August 8th, stating that meat and poultry products regulated by the FDA may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Where Did the Salmonella Jalapeños Outbreak First Occur?
As announced by the FDA, this new reemergence of Salmonella first took place in Sinaloa, Mexico. Fresh jalapeños were distributed out of this location by Coast Citrus Distributors to various wholesale places, including restaurants. Since then, major food service companies worldwide have been impacted.
Don’t fret! Fast food franchises such as Chipotle have since switched their jalapeño suppliers and removed the affected jalapeños. Qobda, another popular franchise, ended up removing jalapeños completely from its stores and no longer serves them to customers.
What Should We Do Now?
The simplest answer to that question is to remain conscientious about what we consume. If you’re looking to figure out what has been recently recalled, the FDA.gov website is a great resource to use. Taking a look at the “Major Recalled Products” page can be a great way to stay aware and up to date as well. Foodborne illnesses are an ongoing issue, and it’s up to us to help prevent the spread by throwing away contaminated products, washing produce, and spreading awareness.
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What are some foods you enjoy that have recently been recalled?
Have you found any worthy alternatives? 🥬