USDA ERS report discusses trends in Food Recalls: 2004-13

The number of food recalls significantly increased in the between 2005 to 2013. The report examines the products and risks that may have contributed to this increase. The report shows that between 2004 and 2008, food recalls averaged 304 a year; between 2009 and 2013, the annual average rose to 676. The results reveal that recalls increased in several food categories (grain products, animal products, and prepared foods and meals), increased across all three risk severity classes, and occurred more frequently in highly populated States. Undeclared allergens were a leading cause of food product recalls, with the number of undeclared allergens recalls nearly doubling over the decade. During this period the majority of the recall occurred in the following categories: prepared foods and meals, excluding soups (11.9 percent of all food recalls); nuts, seeds, and nut products (10.9 percent); baked goods (9 percent); grains and grain products (8.4 percent); candy products (7.9 percent); and sauces, condiments and dressings (5 percent). @ https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/88497/eib-191.pdf?v=43206