Monitor meat recalls

Counting from 2006, there have been 73 recalls of meat products ordered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to data released by the USDA, only an average of 44% was ever recovered.

This suggests that recalled meat was eaten before — but also after — the product was recalled.

The factors that affect rate of recovery include the speed that meat gets to grocery shelves, and the period between date of meat production and date of problem detection. The shorter the interval between those two dates, the higher the recovery rate.

Despite the 44% average, the recovery rates have varied.

* In cases where incidences of consumer illness prompted the recall, recovery rate was only 20% per recall, on average. The USDA attributed the low rate to the longer interval (sometimes taking months) from the production date to the time a person falls ill and the case is finally linked with the food.

* In cases, however, where the recall was prompted by USDA product tests, recovery rate was higher at 62% per recall. Product testing occur as USDA personnel take product samples (running in the thousands) before these are shipped out from factories. The results of testing come out after a few days. If the product tests positive, the recall order is immediately issued. The interval is only a few days, thus the high recover rate.

The key thing to do is to get consumers’ attention so that they are encouraged to check their refrigerators for the recalled meat.

* For 2008, the USDA is planning to make public the names of retailers of the meat products that are the subject of recall. In current practice, the USDA only posts in its website the states where the products have been shipped, but does not include the retailers unless the products bear their names. Their names have been treated as business information, as confidential as customer lists. With the change, the USDA hopes that the mention of “my store” will prompt consumers to inspect their meat stocks.

* Companies whose products are being recalled often alert their customers (distributors and wholesalers) who proceed to alert their own customers (retailers), and forward to the consumer. These will be encouraged to intensify their recall efforts.

The second-biggest ever recall for ground beef occurred in September. There was a lot of publicity that went with the recall. Yet, one month later, New Jersey health officials discovered 141 boxes of the recalled product in 12 stores. Retailers said they had not heard about the recall.

Safety Tip:
* Check the USDA website regularly for news on meat recalls.
* Have the whole family involved in monitoring announcements of meat recalls. Make sure everyone knows what meat brands/products you usually buy.