USDA reacts to increased number of allergen-related recalls

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued instructions to its inspection program personnel in response to an increased number of products that have been recalled in the first half of 2011 due to the presence of undeclared allergens.

The new instructions include: making establishments aware of the importance and prevalence of undeclared allergens in meat and poultry products; and how to best ensure labels are kept accurate and current.

The agency has overseen 20 recalls for undeclared allergens in the first six months of 2011. In the preceding two years combined, the agency issued recalls for a total of 32 undeclared allergens. In many of these cases, the recalls were a result of a change in product formulation by an establishment or a change in a supplier's ingredients that had not been carried onto labels.

For more information see the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service website.