01/08/2025
Food recalls pose serious health risks. Understanding what they are and how to avoid becoming ill from a food recall can help protect you and your family.
By Lucie Bandelac, MD, Family Medicine Resident, Nuvance Health Medical Practice
Food recalls seem to be dominating headlines lately. From broccoli to carrots to deli meats— there have been reports of various health risks in our food.
While food recalls can be alarming, don’t let them scare you. Food recalls are in place for a good reason: to protect you and your family from potential health risks. Understanding what to do if there’s a food recall and ways to keep you and your family safe can help prevent foodborne illness.
What is a food recall?
A food recall is a safety measure taken when a food product poses a risk to consumers. Manufacturers, distributors and government agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issue recalls.
Food recalls ensure unsafe products are removed from store shelves and consumers’ homes to prevent harm.
What types of food recalls are there?
Food recalls are classified into three categories based on the level of risk they pose:
|
Class |
Risk Level |
Common Reasons |
|
I |
High |
|
|
II |
Moderate |
Undeclared allergens: Ingredients like peanuts or soy not listed on the label |
|
III |
Low |
Improper labeling: Misleading or missing information about ingredients or nutrition |
What are foodborne illness symptoms and who is most susceptible?
Pregnant people, children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals are at the highest risk of getting sick from a foodborne illness.
Symptoms of foodborne illness vary depending on the bacterial contaminant:
- E. coli: Can cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain within three to four days of exposure.
- Salmonella: Often leads to diarrhea, fever, vomiting and stomach cramps within six hours to six days of exposure.
- Listeria: Symptoms like fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures can take at least two weeks to appear.
Related content: Norovirus: What it is and how to avoid it
Contact your primary care doctor or go to urgent care if your symptoms worsen or linger.
Find a Nuvance Health primary care provider near me
How to keep you and your family safe from food recalls
Food recalls include everything from deli meats to vegetables to snacks. The FDA has provided a complete list of recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts.
You can filter by various FDA-regulated product types, such as food and beverages, medical devices and animal and veterinary products. You can also subscribe to its email lists to receive immediate food recall alerts.
What to do if you purchased a recalled food item
If you purchased a recalled product, don’t consume or serve it. According to FoodSafety.gov, you should do the following:
Don’t panic: Food recalls are commonly issued as a precautionary measure. Most food recalls aren’t associated with a foodborne illness outbreak, but because there’s a chance the food is contaminated.
Don’t eat or open the food: It’s better to be safe than sorry; throw it away!
Check the recall notice to determine what to do with the food: Typically, you’ll either need to return the product or throw it away. Ensure the product details in the recall notice match the details on the product you have at home. If a product doesn’t match all the recall information completely, it is not considered part of the recall.
Always sanitize surfaces and/or containers the item was in contact with to avoid the spread of bacteria. You can use a diluted solution containing 1 tablespoon of bleach and 1 gallon of water.
How to make sure food in your kitchen is safe to eat and ways avoid foodborne illness
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after handling food.
Related content: How often you should wash your reusable water bottle
Wash your produce thoroughly. Having a kitchen brush specific for washing produce can make washing your produce easier.
Use separate, wooden cutting boards for raw meat and produce. Plastic cutting boards can risk microplastics getting into your food.
Store perishable items at proper temperatures. Don’t let food sit out for too long if it should be refrigerated.
Cook and reheat foods to safe internal temperatures recommended by the FoodSafety.gov. Use a food thermometer to check.
Don’t second guess yourself when it comes to food. If it has a funny smell, throw it out!
Stay updated about the latest food recalls. Sign up to receive emails about recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts from the FDA.
The bottom line: Food recalls might sound scary, but they are in place to keep you and your family safe. By staying updated about food recalls, practicing safe food preparation habits and knowing what to do if something is pulled off the shelves, you can keep your family healthy and your kitchen worry-free. A little extra caution goes a long way toward peace of mind!