Food recalls in the US increased during the second quarter of 2012, according to Stericycle ExpertRECALL, which aggregates and tracks cumulative recall data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Food and Drug Administration. The recalls were up 19% from the first quarter of 2012 and up 16% from the second quarter of 2011.

Stericycle’s report found undeclared allergens or other allergen concerns remained the primary cause of recalls during the second quarter, accounting for nearly 40% of food recalls initiated.


Foodborne illness concerns accounted for an additional 40% of recalls during the quarter, with Salmonella and Listeria being the most common reasons.

During the second quarter of 2012, Stericycle noted FDA enforcement reports documented 169 food recalls initiated by 156 companies and affecting more than five million units, the fewest number of units affected by recalls in the past four quarters.