A new report charts rising food recalls nationwide, and researchers found Californians were impacted more than shoppers in any other state.
The number of food recalls has risen steadily across the United States in recent years, and a new report found they impact consumers in California more than any other state.
Trace One analyzed data from the United States Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration between 2020 and 2024. Overall, researchers found a 20 percent increase in food recalls through 2023 and noted consistent growth each year in Class I recalls — the category with the highest potential health risks.
Researchers found Californians were impacted by nearly 40 percent of the food recalls issued since 2020 — the highest share of any state. The Golden State, the nation’s largest food producer, was also the origin of the highest share of food products recalled, at 16.3 percent. New York was second in both metrics, impacted by 36.4 percent of food recalls and originating 8.1 percent of the products recalled.
Since 2020, nearly 40 percent of all food recalls have been due to allergen contamination, which can happen when products are exposed to potential allergens that are not listed on the label, like wheat, dairy, or nuts. Trace One found bacterial contamination was the second most common cause of food recalls, including those issued for potential salmonella, E. coli or listeria pathogens.
Just this week, the USDA recalled seven million pounds of meat and poultry linked to a listeria outbreak in 13 states, leading to dozens of hospitalizations and at least two deaths.
Researchers found food contaminated with foreign objects, like rocks, plastic, or metal, was the third most common source, triggering 11.6 percent of recalls over the last four years. The least common — but very hazardous — culprit was potential lead contamination.
Late last year, federal officials investigated reports of tainted applesauce pouches sold under three brands, issuing a recall after high lead levels were detected in children in 22 states, including California.
