In the first three months of 2025, several popular food manufacturers recalled some of their products due to packaging mishaps and mislabeling. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) reported 45 recalls related to food and beverages from January 1st to March 31st; of these 45 recalls, 21 were related to missing allergen information on labels.
Some of these recalls are associated with leading companies such as Frito-Lay, Nestlé, and Quaker. Many more, like Lay’s, Tostitos, Stouffer’s, or Trader Joe’s, were also among the recalled brands. The allergen omissions in these recalls put consumers with food allergies at risk.
Many recalls were based on the undeclared ingredients that consist of milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. These allergens are responsible for the vast majority of food allergy reactions and must be declared on packaging under law or regulation by the FDA.
Furthermore, the majority of recalled items were basic grocery store items. Besides these, special items, including Chinese food such as dried lily flower, were recalled under undeclared allergens in January and February.
Recall reports often cite label errors, but such incidents do not apply only to packaging issues. Harmful pathogenic bacteria, such as Listeria or Salmonella, led to contamination concerns and then recalls. The risk of these pathogens demands the need for food safety policies and protocols.
Food safety professionals have stressed the need for proper product labelling. Label errors may seem insignificant, yet they are dangerous for consumers with significant allergies. Companies are encouraged to re-examine their packaging processes for the consumer’s safety.
Moreover, many food experts have emphasized the need for proper labelling. Labelling errors might seem like a small issue, but they can be the cause of serious allergic reactions. Therefore, companies must review their packaging processes to ensure consumer safety at every step.
However, with the increase in recalls, food manufacturers are reviewing and enhancing their quality control systems. These include thorough inspection steps before distribution in order to prevent any recalls in the future.
As a result, food manufacturers have quickly removed the mislabelled products from the stores. Some of them have issued notices in stores while providing refunds to consumers for recalled items. Also, consumers are encouraged to stay updated with the latest regulations by checking the FDA online recall database regularly.
As we’re entering the second quarter of 2025, industry professionals and consumers need to pay close attention to FDA recalls. Therefore, food manufacturers must implement effective solutions to avoid mislabelling issues.
