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U.S. product recalls reached a five-year high in the first quarter of 2024, according to Sedgwick’s first-quarter U.S. Recall Index report. The report found recalls increased 8% quarter-over-quarter to 909 events across five key industries amidst stricter regulatory oversight and heightened consumer scrutiny. Some of the increase is due to the high rate of enforcement activity and the introduction of new regulations and rules to improve product safety. The food and beverage sector had 27.6% more FDA recalls, with 134 events, over half of which were due to undeclared allergens. In 2024, the FDA, USDA, and FTC are developing measures to keep consumers safe and provide more accurate information about the food they buy. Sedgwick said that expect a strong focus from regulators on consumer protection and transparency in the food and beverage sector. @ https://riskandinsurance.com/recalls-up-8-in-q1-as-regulators-ramp-up-product-safety-oversight/#:~:text=U.S.%20product%20recalls%20reached%20a,oversight%20and%20heightened%20consumer%20scrutiny.

The CFIA reported that the Perth County Ingredients brand (St. Marys, Ontario) recalled spray-dried high-wip cage-free albumen due to Salmonella. The product was distributed in Ontario.  @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/perth-county-ingredients-brand-spray-dried-hi-whip-cage-free-albumen-recalled-due

The CDC reported that from February 28, 2024, to April 30, 2024, 109 illnesses due to Salmonella in backyard poultry have been reported in 29 states. No death has been reported, but 33 people were hospitalized. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data indicate that contact with backyard poultry makes people sick. The CDC emphasizes the importance of hand washing and taking various precautions to eliminate the danger.@ https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/backyardpoultry-05-24/map.html

JJBR (KR-15-SP) Tongyeong, Republic of Korea (ROK) is recalling frozen half-shell oysters with lot number B231227 because they may be contaminated with Norovirus. The recalled oysters were harvested from ROK Designated Area No. 1 on 12/27/2023. They were processed by JBR (KR-15-SP) in Tongyeong, ROK, on 12/28/2023 as frozen half-shell oysters, with lot number B231227. These oysters were distributed by Khee Trading, Inc. (Compton, CA), which is also recalling these oysters. On 5/15/2024, JC Foods, Inc., of Salt Lake City, UT, initiated a voluntary recall of frozen half-shell oysters, lot number B231227, that had been distributed to their retail customers in Utah. Retailers should not serve or sell, and consumers should not eat frozen half-shell oysters with lot number B231227 that were processed by JBR of ROK on 12/28/2023 and distributed to restaurants and retailers in California, Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, and Utah. Additional distribution may have occurred, and the states continue conducting trace forward investigations. The FDA is assisting with and coordinating interstate notification efforts due to the states’ investigations. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-restaurants-and-retailers-not-serve-or-sell-and-consumers-not-eat-certain-frozen-raw?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery