Food Recall Volume Surges in Q1 as USDA Products Reach Third-Highest Total in Decades

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — U.S. food recall activity took on a bigger footprint in the first quarter of 2026, with USDA-regulated products reaching the third-highest recall volume in more than two decades and FDA-regulated food recalls affecting nearly twice as many units as the previous quarter, according to new data from Sedgwick.

Although FDA food recall events declined and USDA recalls remained limited in number, several large-scale incidents involving foreign materials and undeclared allergens drove sharp increases in the amount of product affected, according to Sedgwick's latest U.S. Product Safety and Recall Index report.

USDA recalls.

Bacterial contamination, no inspection and foreign materials contributed to USDA recalls, according to the report. Foreign materials was the leading cause of USDA food recalls, accounting for 37 million pounds in Q1, largely due to a single recall of 36.99 million pounds of chicken fried rice products contaminated with glass.

No inspection was second by volume with 59,779 pounds. Bacterial contamination was third, impacting 36,632 pounds, down from 94,440 in the previous quarter.

Poultry and pork each had two recalls in Q1, accounting for 37 million pounds and 55,777 pounds of recalled product, respectively. Beef and fish were linked to one recall each: 22,912 pounds for beef and 13,464 pounds for fish.

FDA recalls.

The number of FDA food recalls fell 10.3% in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025, decreasing to 140 events. However, the Q4 figure was the highest quarterly total in the past eight years, reported Sedgwick. The number of units impacted grew 99.5% from 28.76 million last quarter to 57.40 million this quarter. Seven recalls affected more than 1 million units. Sedgwick reports FDA recall impact in units rather than pounds, a measure that can include individual products or packaged items.

In Q1 2026, undeclared allergens were the leading cause of FDA food recalls, with 57 events, up from 49 last quarter. The most common allergens cited were milk, which was linked to 17 recalls, and soy, which was tied to 14 events. Four recalls involved gluten.

Foreign materials were the second most common cause of FDA food recalls, accounting for 24 events. Bacterial contamination ranked third with 22 recalls.

Foreign materials impacted 26.43 million units of FDA-regulated food, the most of any hazard in Q1. This included a recall of prepared food containing glass that affected 19.07 million units. Undeclared allergens were second by volume with 19.26 million units recalled, including a single recall of 18.61 million units for undeclared colors. Bacterial contamination was third and impacted 10.41 million units.

By category, prepared foods led by both recalls and volume in Q1 2026. There were 41 recalls that impacted 44.98 million units, including two large recalls for foreign materials. Supplements were second for both events and units. There were 9.34 million units recalled across 17 events, which included 5.44 million sea moss gel superfood supplements that contained Clostridium botulinum.

Baked goods had the third-highest number of events with 15. They also had the third-most units impacted at 1.19 million.

"The ongoing economic uncertainty should urge companies to control what they can do, including assessing their compliance risk and evaluating their recall plans against a dynamic regulatory environment," said Chris Harvey, senior vice president, Sedgwick. "The current administration is emphasizing transparency with a focus on product origin information and food ingredients. Clear communication is another priority with consumers, suppliers and regulators. Businesses should ensure that they have effective communications channels in place and can support any statements they make."

To download the Q1 2026 U.S. Product Safety and Recall Index report, click here.