If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s, you may have noticed that there have been a lot of food recalls lately — Five, in fact, in just four weeks.
It started on July 25th with Trader Joe’s Almond mill biscuit And dark chocolate chips and almond cookies, in addition Fully cooked falafel Three days later, they were all pulled out because they might contain rocks. And that was with Trader Joe’s Unexpected broccoli cheddar soup, which was recalled due to the possibility that it contained insects. Most recently, on August 17, the retailer announced the recall of its products Multigrain crackers with sunflower and flaxseed Because it may contain metal.
The news is alarming, but how worried are consumers? Here’s what the experts say.
What is happening
“It is very unusual for a retailer to make multiple checkouts of items on the private in a row.” Mitzi BoomThe CEO of Stop Foodborne Illness tells Yahoo Life.
In some cases, callbacks can be linked. “Physical hazards, like rocks in many products, can be from a single ingredient from the same resource used in both products,” Baum explains.
However, in the case of Trader Joe’s, the recalls may not have been related, according to food safety expert Trevor Craig, Trader Joe’s director of technical training and advisory. Micropack Laboratories. “It’s very unlikely that these are related because they are all different products and issues and are more likely to be manufacturers,” he told Yahoo Life.
He thinks it could just be a streak of bad luck for Trader Joe’s, or an example of increased surveillance after a single withdrawal. “For example, they may have recalled one product and reviewed several products to make sure they didn’t have similar issues, and decided they did in fact,” says Craig. “Or it could be that some consumers have reported something through complaints, when Trader Joe’s is acting in a safe way.”
Do I need to worry?
Recalls are dangerous but not automatically dangerous, according to a registered dietitian Jamie Lee McIntyre. “They are more often than not precautionary measures taken to prevent potential harm to consumers,” she told Yahoo Life. “Companies often work closely with regulatory agencies to identify and address the root causes of recalls and implement corrective actions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.”
Baum agrees. “Although the idea of eating insects is unappealing, they won’t harm you,” she says. “The presence of insects could be caused by the presence of unknown insects in an ingredient – like broccoli grown in the ground.”
Craig also isn’t very interested in Trader Joe’s call-ups. “None of these withdrawals appear to be life-threatening, and I don’t see anyone reporting illness or being hospitalized,” he notes. In general, he says, the biggest concerns are with recalls due to bacterial and chemical contamination, which is difficult to see and control.
What can i do about it?
Experts recommend keeping an eye on recall notices and staying on top of what they mean.
The good news: It is very easy to receive food recall alerts Thanks to technology. “Many companies offer memberships that alert customers when a product they’ve purchased has been withdrawn,” Craig says.
McIntyre says consumers can also stay informed Registration with the Food and Drug Authority To receive email notifications, sign up for consumer advocacy organizations’ newsletters and check recall sections in databases at Food and Drug Administration website.
If you’ve purchased products that have been recalled, Craig advises watching for any symptoms that develop. McIntyre agrees: “If you feel sick, be sure to call your local health department and report your symptoms. This helps the authorities track the impact of the recall and take action.
Baum says medical attention is especially important after signs of food poisoning appear, such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever. “Specifically ask for tests for the bacteria identified in the recall, and if there is any product left in your home, save it for additional testing,” she says.
If the food you purchased is recalled, McIntyre recommends that: “Follow the instructions in the recall notice regarding the specific product, batch numbers and expiration dates affected. You can then safely dispose of the product or return it to the store where it was purchased for store credit or In some cases, a refund.
The main takeaway
“Food recalls happen,” Craig says. But consumers can protect themselves by taking care of these recalls and disposing of those items. As Baum says, “Be an informed consumer.”
If a recalled product has been consumed, experts recommend contacting your physician and alerting your local health department.