"Unwanted Additions: The Commonality of Food Recalls for Rocks, Insects, and Plastic"

Food recalls in the US have been on the rise due to contamination with foreign objects such as rocks, insects, and plastic. These extraneous materials, including metal fragments, rubber gaskets, and bugs, are one of the top reasons for food recalls. In 2022, there were nine recalls of over 477,000 pounds of food due to extraneous materials, triple the number of recalls for E. coli contamination. While detection methods have improved, manufacturers still occasionally miss unwanted objects. Recalls are often voluntary, but regulators can request or mandate them. Companies are becoming more cautious due to consumer preferences and the risk of lawsuits. Although actual contamination may be limited, entire batches of food are often recalled as a precaution, resulting in significant waste. Consumers are advised to notify manufacturers if they find foreign materials in their food, but the risk of contamination can never be completely eliminated.