Why are food recalls issued?

Food recalls are issued primarily to protect public health by removing products from the market that may pose a health hazard. When there's a risk that a food product could cause illness or injury—such as contamination with harmful bacteria, undeclared allergens, or foreign objects—authorities take action to safeguard consumers. The recall process acts as an alert mechanism to inform the public and retailers about potentially dangerous products, facilitating their removal from shelves to prevent consumption.

Promoting new products, improving store inventory, and updating nutritional information do not address the immediate safety concerns that lead to a recall. Rather, they relate to marketing strategies or regulatory compliance, which do not typically require the urgent response that a food recall entails. The focus of a recall is distinctly on mitigating health risks and ensuring food safety for consumers.