How many food recalls were there in 2019?

The FDA reported 1,863 food recall enforcement actions in 2019, of which 646 were Class I, 1,148 Class II and 69 Class III. That is 5% fewer than the 1,958 reported in 2018.

What caused the most food recalls in 2019?

Listeria monocytogenes appears in 371 of the 1,863 recalls reported in 2019, followed by undeclared allergens with 318. A single recall can name more than one hazard, so these counts overlap.

Early access How it works

FDA food recalls reported in 2019

The FDA reported 1,863 food recall enforcement actions in 2019, 646 of them Class I. That is 5% fewer than 2018. Data last updated 2 September 2026.

Records of 29,386: 1,863
Share of all recalls: 6.3%
Class I of 1,863: 646
Reported between: 2019 to 2019

Who got ill

The CDC recorded 880 foodborne outbreaks in 2019, with 11,960 reported illnesses, 999 hospitalisations and 7 deaths. That is 9.7% of the 9,038 foodborne outbreaks in the dataset, and 0.6 in every thousand of those reported ill died.

The setting recorded most often was a sit-down restaurant, in 372 of the 817 where a setting was named.

Outbreaks: 880
Reported illnesses: 11,960
Hospitalised: 999
Deaths: 7

Foodborne outbreaks reported to CDC, National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) for 2012 to 2023, read 2026-09-15. An outbreak is two or more illnesses traced to a common food, so this counts people rather than product, and it does not cover the recall years after 2023.

What is different about 2019

Recalls in 2019 skew less severe than the corpus: 34.7% are Class I against 44% nationally.

A recall in 2019 stays open a median of 141 days between the report and termination, against 215 days for the corpus as a whole. Termination follows the firm accounting for every unit of the affected lot.

The rules in force in 2019

No FSMA milestone fell in 2019. The most recent change still shaping what a facility had to hold was this one, and every record below was written under it.

17 September 2018

Preventive controls apply to very small businesses

Very small businesses, averaging under one million dollars a year in sales of human food, came fully under 21 CFR 117 from this date, completing the staggered rollout begun in 2016. From this point the whole of the domestic manufacturing base covered by the rule was held to a written food safety plan.

FDA, FSMA Final Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food

What was recalled in 2019

Counts are by the date the FDA reported the enforcement action, which is the field openFDA publishes as report_date rather than the date the firm started the recall. A single recall can name more than one hazard, so these counts overlap and do not sum to 1,863.

Firms with the most records

A firm appears here because it reported recalls, which is what a working recall procedure produces. A high count frequently reflects a single event split across many product codes rather than many separate failures.

Where the recalling firms are

The state is the location of the recalling firm, not where the product was sold. Distribution is recorded separately on each record.

Most recently reported

The 60 most recent of 1,863 records. Every record has its own page and is reachable from its year, state and firm.
Reported	Product	Firm	Reason	Class
2019-12-25	STIR FRY BEEF VEGAN served on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Beef Broccoli Szechuan sold on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	VEGETABLE KORMA INDIAN served on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Caulilini, Grilled with Sweet Poppy Seed Sauce sold in the chef's case and hot bar UPC 27268400000	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class II
2019-12-25	BROCCOLI FLORETS CV BROCCOLI STEAMED and served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Pasta Turkey Alfredo sold on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Caulilini, Roasted with Roasted Garlic served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class II
2019-12-25	BROCCOLI ROASTED BUFFALO served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	GOURMET BAY Haddock with Seafood Stuffing; 6oz; SELL BY 05/26/21; LOT# 100457657; KEEP FROZEN; Cooking Instructions: Oven: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place fish on a lined non-stick baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.	Slade Gorton & Company, Inc.	Product stuffing may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes	Class II
2019-12-25	Bowl, Korean Chicken UPC 26235400000 sold packaged in stores	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Chicken Orange and Chick'n Orange Sauce sold on the hot bar and in the chef's case	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Salmon Dinner with Thai Curry for 2 Packaged in the store UPC 20451500000	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class II
2019-12-25	CAULIFLOWER BROCCOLI ROMESCO BASQUE served on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Caulilini, Roasted Grape & Curry Vinaigrette Cindy's served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Beef & Broccoli sold on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Beef Hoison Glazed sold on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Truly Good Foods SOUTH OF THE BORDER nut mix NET CT/WT: 25lb box, CONTAINS: PEANUTS, MILK, AND WHEAT. Distributed by Truly Good Foods, Charlotte, N.C. 28273 UPC 0 94184 11019 8	Tropical Nut & Fruit Company	The firm discovered that the product inside the South of the Border box is a different product with different allergens from what the label stated. Product was distributed in cardboard boxes with labeling that did not declare the presence of soy and tree nuts (almonds).	Class II
2019-12-25	Crab Rangoon 1.0 oz.	T & R Enterprises USA, Inc.	Produced and packaged under insanitary conditions	Class II
2019-12-25	GARBANZO BROCCOLI FARRO served on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Catering, Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad Small UPC 106487 and Catering, Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad Medium UPC 160488 served in the catering menu; Taproom, Side Kale & Brussels available in the chef's case UPC 404511; Salad, Kale & Brussels 2 For 6 UPC 22215600000 available in the chef's case; Salad, Kale & Brussels Family UPC 22506700000 packaged in the store; Salad, Kale & Brussels Sprouts UPC 26431300000 and UPC 26918200000 sold on the salad bar and chef's case	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Salmon Dinner with Mild Italian for 2 packaged in the store UPC 20451300000	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class II
2019-12-25	SINGLE MEAL SALMON DETOX SALAD PALEO available in the chef's case UPC 23238900000	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Tri-Color Coleslaw - Marketside brand; 16 oz. plastic bag, SKU 3117 Colorful Coleslaw/Salade de Chou - President's Choice Brand - (Canada only) 14 oz. plastic bag, SKU 3237 A blend of green and red cabbage and carrots. Marketside UPC: 6-81131-38748-4 President's Choice UPC: 0-60383222670	Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc	Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported finding Salmonella in a sample of Coleslaw with Green and Red Cabbage and Carrots.	Class I
2019-12-25	Broccoli and Cauliflower Chorizo Roasted sold on the hot bar and in chef's case	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	TOFU SALAD SWEET CHILE served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	GOURMET BAY Salmon Roast with Crabmeat Stuffing; SELL BY: 12/10/19; KEEP REFRIGERATED; Cooking Instructions: Remove product from package prior to cooking. Oven: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake for 30-35 minutes or internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Grill: Preheat cleaned oil grill to medium heat. Wrap roast loosely in foil and place on second shelf of grill or over indirect heat. Cook for 30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.	Slade Gorton & Company, Inc.	Product stuffing may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes	Class II
2019-12-25	SALAD BROCCOLI CRUNCH served on the hot bar, salad bar, and chef's case UPC 24531600000 and UPC 24532000000	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Salad Bar, Trend Alert Pickled Pear & Brussels Sprouts served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	BROCCOLI ROASTED PALEO served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Family Meal Chicken Orange and Vegetable UPC 22849900000 sold packaged in stores, PLU 28499	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class II
2019-12-25	PIZZA PESTO GREEN VEGGIE served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Vegetable Power Blend served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	PLATTER CRUDITE VEGETABLE FOR 10 CA UPC 111686, 28587400000 and PLATTER CRUDITE VEGETABLE FOR 20 CA UPC 111687, 28587500000 available trough catering and packaged in stores	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	GOURMET BAY Flounder with Crabmeat Stuffing; SELL BY: 12/11/19; KEEP REFRIGERATED; Cooking Instructions: Oven: preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place fish on a lined or non-stick baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.	Slade Gorton & Company, Inc.	Product stuffing may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes	Class II
2019-12-25	Caulilini & Broccoli Lemon Caper served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Beef Broccoli Spicy Paleo sold on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	SLAW BROCCOLI and served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	BROCCOLI CHARRED ROMESCO served on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Bowl, Shaved Brussel Sprout Grilled Chicken UPC 27332900000 sold packaged in stores	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Salad Bar, Brussels Sprouts Shredded served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	BROCCOLI CHARRED CHILI GARLIC served on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Chicken General Tso and Chick'n General Tso sold on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	TAINY VOSTOKA DRY FRUIT MIX QUINCE COMPOTE 17.65oz (500 gram); Container code# 27032019; UPC code 4605932006203.	Euroline Foods LLC	DRY FRUIT MIX QUINCE COMPOTE(TAINY VOSTOKA) contains undeclared sulfites	Class I
2019-12-25	SALAD DETOX HSH CC UPC 27714400000 sold in the chef's case and on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Grilled Chicken & Kale Brussels Meal UPC 26753800000 sold in the chef's case	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Wedge Greek Salad served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class II
2019-12-25	BROCCOLI WITH ROASTED TOMATOES CC UPC 277743900000 sold in the chef's case and on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	POTATOES SCALLOPED BROCCOLI & ROMESCO served on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Queen Victoria Sweet Baby Broccoli from Ippolito International, packed in ice in half bushel boxes, 18 count bunches/case, pack date of Nov 07 [2019], twist tie label on each bunch. Packaged by Ippolito International, Salinas, CA 93901 (see photos of labels on pgs. 3-4 of Att A/B in Associated Docs).	Stern Produce Company Inc.	Firm is recalling one lot of baby broccoli because it may be contaminated with bacteria contained in dripping ice water from a drain tray in the cooler.	Class II
2019-12-25	VEGETABLES STIR FRY served on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	SLAW COCONUT CITRUS served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	CAULIFLOWER BROCCOLI ETHIOPIAN served on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Cauliflower Caulilini sold on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Trend Alert Caulilini with Vadouvan Curry served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class II
2019-12-25	BROCCOLI GARLIC SUNDRIED TOMATOES and served on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Freshness Guaranteed Croissants in clear plastic 12oz clamshell, 12 clamshells per case, item number 7012	Gold Standard Baking, Inc.	Product is missing ingredient and nutrition label on bottom of clamshell retail package. Missing ingredients include allergens MILK, WHEAT, and SOY	Class II
2019-12-25	Chicken Cashew sold on the hot bar and in chef's case	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Caulilini, Roasted sold on the salad bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Bulgogi Beef with Vegetables sold on the hot bar	Whole Foods Market	Possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes	Class I
2019-12-25	Hodgson Mill Unbleached All-Purpose White Wheat Flour 5 Lb bags 001042 Best By 10-01-2020 005517 Best By 10-02-2020	Cell-nique Corp dba Living Harvest at Hudson River Foods	Flour may be contaminated with STEC E, coli	Class II

Questions

How many food recalls were there in 2019?: The FDA reported 1,863 food recall enforcement actions in 2019, of which 646 were Class I, 1,148 Class II and 69 Class III. That is 5% fewer than the 1,958 reported in 2018.
What caused the most food recalls in 2019?: Listeria monocytogenes appears in 371 of the 1,863 recalls reported in 2019, followed by undeclared allergens with 318. A single recall can name more than one hazard, so these counts overlap.

All FDA food recall data

Every hazard in this year is a clause somebody had to evidence at an audit. Krolda maps supplier documents to the clause they satisfy in FSSC 22000, IFS Food and 21 CFR 117, and routes the corrective action when the evidence is missing.

Early access

Recall records come from the openFDA food enforcement API, published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the public domain. Krolda adds the hazard classification and the clause mapping; neither is an FDA determination. Always check the FDA notice before acting on a recall.