What’s behind the surge in food recalls this year?

Just weeks after a major recall of iceberg lettuce due to a cyclospora outbreak, over a million eggs have been recalled due to potential salmonella contamination. These eggs, sourced from Midwest Poultry Services, were distributed to Kroger and various smaller grocery stores throughout the South and Southwest. Following this, Taylor Farms also recalled more than a dozen products containing jalapeños, such as guacamole and salsa, after their supplier, Coast Citrus Distributors, pulled fresh peppers for the same salmonella issue.

The wave of recalls doesn’t stop there. Earlier this month, frozen blueberries and mixed berries sold at Publix were recalled over E. coli concerns. Additionally, some Outshine fruit bars were removed from shelves due to potential glass contamination, and even dog food and eye drops have been part of recent recalls. Collectively, these incidents have resulted in thousands of illnesses across the US.

Darin Detwiler, a professor emeritus at Northeastern and adjunct professor at Michigan State University College of Law, notes that data from the FDA indicates an uptick in recall activity, but it’s still too soon to determine if this year’s recalls will surpass those from 2025. As of July 31, there have been 122 food and beverage recalls this year, compared to 135 during the same timeframe in 2025 and 146 in 2024, according to the Poynter Institute. Edward Dudley, a food science professor at Pennsylvania State University, points out that summer often sees more foodborne outbreaks, and while media coverage has increased awareness, it doesn’t necessarily indicate a higher risk.

Although the current recall numbers aren’t drastically higher than in previous years, a report from the US Public Interest Research Group highlights a significant rise in foodborne illness outbreaks. Detwiler emphasizes that while recall activity in 2026 seems elevated, the scale of some individual recalls can impact a larger number of consumers. For instance, the cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce has resulted in over 9,000 illnesses, potentially marking it as the third-largest recorded foodborne illness outbreak.

These recalls have garnered considerable attention, with news outlets and TV stations reporting on FDA and USDA announcements. Online influencers have also contributed, sharing viral posts that warn about recalls, which have gained thousands of likes and views thanks to social media algorithms.

Detwiler warns that when recall notices become commonplace, people may start to ignore them. This could lead to a dangerous acceptance of recalls and outbreaks as just part of a complex food system, resulting in what he calls “recall fatigue” that can erode public trust.

Federal funding cuts during the Trump administration have made it harder for agencies to ensure food safety. The FDA’s budget was reduced by $271 million compared to the previous year, and over 4,300 employees were let go in 2025 and 2026. The CDC also cut more than 2,800 jobs, as reported by FoodNavigator. The Government Accountability Office noted in February that the FDA is facing staffing shortages even as the demand for safety inspections rises.

Compounding these issues, the CDC scaled back its tracking of certain foodborne diseases last year, excluding pathogens like cyclospora, listeria, and shigella from its surveillance program. The FDA has also postponed the compliance deadline for the Traceability Rule, which aims to improve record-keeping for businesses handling specific foods, including fresh produce and eggs. Originally set to take effect in January 2026, enforcement has now been pushed to 2028.

With fewer federal staff and relaxed regulations, the ability to detect, track, and prevent recalls is increasingly compromised. Detwiler asserts that the focus should not be on reducing communication about recalls but rather on preventing them, clearly communicating when they occur, explaining the causes, strengthening the institutions responsible for hazard detection, and ensuring that lessons from past failures are applied.