Italy food recalls: 600+ product withdrawals in 2024

The findings of an inquiry by Il Fatto Alimentare indicate that Italy experienced over 600 food product recalls in 2024. Most of these recalls pertained to baked goods, sausages, minced meats, tartare and hamburgers, and pre-packaged salads. Of the 641 recalls, nearly half stemmed from microbiological contamination, with Listeria being the primary cause, accounting for 294 incidents. Salmonella was the second most prevalent cause, with 58 cases, followed by Escherichia coli STEC, responsible for 12 cases. Chemical hazards were the second most frequent reason for recalls, totaling 76 cases, of which 29 were attributed to pesticides. The presence of foreign materials was another recurring issue, affecting 72 products; 55 of these were recalled due to the presence of metal fragments. Lastly, the omission of allergen information on product packaging represented a significant concern, leading to the recall of 67 products. In Italy, food recall notifications are disseminated via the Ministry of Health’s online portal. Information exchange among EU member states regarding potential risks identified in specific food items is facilitated through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) platform, the European Union’s system for rapid alerts concerning food and feed safety.