The Rise of Product Recalls: A Closer Look

In recent years, consumers have seen an increase in product recalls, spanning various industries. From the 2022 scandals involving Buitoni pizzas and Kinder chocolates contaminated with Escherichia coli and salmonella, to more recent events, recalls are becoming a frequent topic of discussion. But why are these recalls so common, and how can consumers stay informed?

Each week, numerous alerts regarding product recalls are issued through channels like the Confederation Service RecallSwiss,a publicly accessible platform.

Common causes for Recalls

Product recalls stem from a variety of issues,each posing unique risks to consumers. Here are some of the most frequent reasons:

• Microbiological Contamination: The presence of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, salmonella, or Listeria is a leading cause. While these bacteria may onyl cause illness in some, they can be fatal for vulnerable individuals.
• Foreign Bodies: Contamination with foreign objects, like the wood shavings found in Alnatura brand chips or yellow plastic in Alnatura’s frozen creamed spinach, also triggers recalls.
• Undeclared Allergens: The failure to declare allergens, such as hazelnuts in Jacot SA’s cashew and almond chocolate spread, is another significant concern.
• Safety Hazards: Recalls are also initiated due to risks of suffocation or burns from toys and children’s clothing,and also the migration of toxic substances like formaldehyde from everyday items like bamboo bowls. Other hazards include risks of electrocution,strangulation,or suffocation.

Manufacturer Responsibilities and the Role of Authorities

Manufacturers play a crucial role in ensuring product safety. In the event of a problem, manufacturers have a duty to announce it to the cantons, who themselves have the obligation to report it to our service, explains Manel Nobel, head of the coordination and surveillance sector at OSAV. Nobel adds, there are fluctuations from year to year, but in general, the number of public warnings in Switzerland remains relatively stable in recent years. This shows that the food security system is very effective in Switzerland.

the OSV (presumably a Swiss oversight entity) is then responsible for informing the media and the public. Reminders are still published on our website. We also publish a press release. Another important source of details is the Recallswiss submission, Nobel states. Furthermore, For their part, manufacturers also have a duty to inform their customers, either in store or via their own channels.

Staying Informed: tools and Resources

Keeping up-to-date with product recalls is essential for consumer safety. Here are some tools and resources to help you stay informed:

• RecallSwiss app: The RecallSwiss application can be downloaded from its website. Note that it does not offer push notifications; users must subscribe to SMS or email alerts.All steps to install the application are available on the site, says Nobel.
• reporting Non-Compliant Products: If you identify a non-compliant product,it is indeed critically important to report it to the manufacturer or where the product has been purchased. there is also the possibility of filling out a form via the Recallswiss website. The authorities will then do the necessary taking into account the degree of danger, Nobel concludes.