Where have all the USDA recalls gone?

The number of recalls by the USDA has fallen dramatically, in the last quarter of 2019, there were four recalls per month issued under USDA regulations and five in January 2020. However, there hasn't been any USDA recalls since February 8th.  The meatingplace place reports that According to USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the industry is doing a better job of machine maintenance, record-keeping, and communication up and down the supply chain, and of thoroughly defending against pathogens. "Over the last few years, FSIS has pushed for more accountability from the industry to produce safe and wholesome products. "Industry is acting faster on potential situations that may result in adulteration of products, in some instances using electronic means to control and hold products in their distribution chain to prevent them from reaching the consumers," FSIS said. The drop-off in recall announcements is not, an agency spokeswoman emphasized, a result of less stringent inspection protocols or a shortage of inspectors, nor are FSIS personnel looking past issues as a way of helping processors who may be fighting to continue operating in a pandemic. "FSIS reviews the actions of the firms and assesses each situation on a case-by-case basis. If FSIS finds that the products are not under control and they are available for sale, then the agency requests the firm to recall the product," the statement said. @ https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/91409