Use Food Testing to Avoid Costly Recalls

Two recent recalls in late 2023, both involving foreign suppliers, seem to show that either no testing was done onsite or on entrance to the U.S.—or it wasn’t done properly—otherwise the FDA recalls probably wouldn’t have been necessary. The first recall involved high levels of lead in the cinnamon used in an Ecuador processor’s cinnamon-flavored applesauce, and the second, Salmonella on/in cantaloupes from Mexico.

Yet another recall by the Quaker Oats Company dated December 15, 2023 involved specific granola bars and granola cereals “because they have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.” Then, almost a month later—January 11, 2024— the company expanded its December recall to include additional cereals, bars and snacks including Quaker Cinnamon Oatmeal Squares, which is a favorite cereal of mine.