A new electronic early detection system utilized by the Food and Drug Administration logged 125 primary reports of unsafe food or animal feed in the first seven months of operation, keeping the potentially dangerous food out of the mouths of consumers, according to PR Newswire.
Mandated by Congress, the Reportable Food Registry requires manufactures, processors, packers and distributors to report any safety problems with food for humans and pets, and animals. The reports help the FDA locate hazardous foods in the supply chain.
Notable cases so far include:
- In February 2010 – Hydrolyzed vegetable protein HVP was recalled, even though there were no reports of illness. More than 1,000 reports from industry on products with HVP led to the removal of 177 food products from store shelves.
- In November 2009 – Foods containing sulfites were recalled because they were not properly labeled. That led to the removal of two nationally distributed side dishes. Again there were no reports of illness.
- Salmonella was present in 37 percent of the 125 hazardous reports.
- Undeclared allergens were found in 35 percent of recalled food products.
- Listeria monocytogenes, a virulent food-borne pathogen and bacterium, made up 13 percent of reports.
- Among reports – There were 14 for animal feed or pet food; a dozen for seafood; 11 for spices and seasonings; and 10 for dairy products.
The legislation creating the food registry in 2007 requires industry to report any food for animals or humans that could reasonably present a probability of serious adverse health consequences or death. The reporting has to be done within 24 hours of the discovery of the problem and must be relayed to the FDA. Dietary supplements and infant formula do not have to be reported because they fall under a different mandatory reporting system. Also exempt are drugs and medical products or reports from consumers.
Interestingly any indication that a food product has been contaminated sparked a suspicion that it could be intentional, and the FDA must immediately notify the Department of Homeland Security. Florida food recall lawyers can help those who have experienced illness or harm from consuming contaminated food products.
