Threefoodrecallseveryweek:numberofproductwarningscontinuedtorisein2017

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Mar 7, 2018 - Foods

Threefoodrecallseveryweek:numberofproductwarningscontinuedtorisein2017

The number of public food warnings has continued to rise. In 2017, authorities in Germany issued 161 warnings about foods on the government's internet portal lebensmittelwarnung.de – about ten percent more frequently than in 2016 (147 entries on lebensmittelwarnung.de).

Five years ago, the number of reports was only half as high (2012: 83 entries), as an analysis of all reports on lebensmittelwarnung.de by foodwatch revealed. However, the authorities do not publish all product recalls on the portal. The consumer organization criticized that most product recalls did not reach the public. Consumers are still not warned comprehensively and quickly enough about health-threatening food because authorities often delay putting recalls online.

The federal and state governments launched the website lebensmittelwarnung.de in 2011 to disseminate recalls on a central platform. foodwatch has evaluated all reports from the portal over the years. In 2017, authorities posted 161 recalls online for various reasons, from glass shards in bread to salmonella in eggs. Since the portal went online at the end of 2011, there has been a nearly constant increase in reported recalls: 2012: 83 reports, 2013: 75, 2014: 107, 2015: 100, 2016: 147.

The private portal produktrueckrufe.de is also a reputable resource that often reports warnings more quickly than authorities and provides links to the original information.

In addition, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) sends press information for each new entry on lebensmittelwarnung.de. Unfortunately, this service is not mentioned on the portal – based on our experience, the BVL will add you to their distribution list upon request (Contact: pressestelle@bvl.bund.de).

Our customer advisors are very happy to assist you with any questions on this topic.

Source: food-monitor Newsletter from 31.01.2018 (https://www.food-monitor.de/newsletter)