"Unwanted Additions: How Rocks, Insects, and Plastic Contaminate Our Food"

Food recalls due to contamination with foreign objects, such as rocks, insects, and plastic, are a common occurrence in the US. These extraneous materials, including metal fragments and bits of bugs, can make their way into packaged goods during the production process. In 2022, there were nine recalls of over 477,000 pounds of food due to extraneous materials, surpassing the number of recalls related to E. coli contamination. While detection methods have improved, manufacturers may still miss some unwanted objects. Recalls are often voluntary, initiated by companies, but can be requested or mandated by regulatory agencies. Consumers are advised to notify manufacturers if they find foreign materials in their food, but it's important to recognize that zero risk is impossible to achieve in food consumption.