Why did food and drink recalls rise?

What happened and what it means

Food and drink recalls in the United States climbed to their highest level in nine years, according to Sedgwick’s 2026 State of the Nation US Product Safety and Recall Index. The increase reflects a surge in the number of safety actions taken against food and beverage products during 2025 and signals a more active recall environment for consumers, retailers, and importers.

The jump matters because recalls interrupt the food supply chain, raise costs for manufacturers and retailers, and create potential health risks for people who don’t see or follow recall notices. For households, the practical takeaway is to monitor recall alerts for products you buy regularly and to inspect pantry and refrigerator items when notices are issued.

Key drivers and consequences

• Expanded detection and reporting: Improved testing in laboratories and more rigorous inspection systems can identify contaminants that previously went undetected.
• Complex supply chains: The growing length and complexity of ingredient and finished-product supply lines make tracing sources of a problem harder and increase the chance that more lots must be recalled.
• Business and regulatory impacts: Manufacturers face direct costs from pulling products, potential legal exposure, and reputational damage; retailers must manage returns and disposal. Regulators may increase scrutiny, leading to more public notices.

What consumers should do now

1. Sign up for recall alerts from the FDA, USDA, or state health departments.
2. Keep receipts or take photos of packaged foods to make it easier to identify lot codes and purchase dates.
3. Follow recall instructions precisely—some products should be discarded, others returned for refund.
4. When in doubt about symptoms after consuming a recalled product, contact a healthcare provider.

The uptick in recalls doesn’t necessarily mean food is less safe overall, but it does underline the importance of vigilance across the system—from testing in labs to how consumers respond to notices.