While pathogens grab headlines, the leading cause of food recalls in the U.S. is undeclared allergens.
Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, soy, wheat, eggs, fish, and shellfish — even a tiny amount of these in a mislabeled product can lead to severe allergic reactions, lawsuits, and costly recalls.
The problem often comes down to labeling errors, poor supplier verification, or inadequate line changeovers. And unlike pathogen testing, allergen control is mostly about discipline, training, and documentation.
Every company should have:
- Strict label review protocols before products ship
- Supplier audits to verify allergen management practices
- Validated cleaning procedures between product runs
Allergen recalls are preventable — but only with vigilance and accountability at every step of the supply chain.
