ExpertRECALL Index finds 'recall sprawl' driven by global economy
Geographic expansion and large-scale events contributed to the complexity of the recall industry.
ExpertRECALL's 2013 Q4 Index found that geographic expansion, an increase in international recalls and large-scale events led to a more complex and challenging recall environment than ever before. While FDA regulated recalls decreased in the fourth quarter of 2013, there has been explosive growth in complexity and geographic reach of recalls, with 35 percent of pharmaceutical, medical device and food recalls affecting at least two countries.
This 'recall sprawl' also saw a 27 percent increase over the previous quarter in the number of FDA-regulated nationwide food recall events. Meanwhile, USDA recalls reflected the trend of growing complexity. While there were just 19 recalls in the fourth quarter, nearly twice as many total pounds were recalled when compared with the first quarter of 2013.