Food recalls have been making headlines this year, from contaminated cucumbers to mislabeled energy drinks. The Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture oversaw 294 separate food recalls in the first half of 2025. The FDA ordered nearly 85 million units to be destroyed, while the USDA recalls affected nearly 1.5 million pounds of food. While some companies may explore disposal alternatives, most recalled items likely end up in landfills.
According to Tracy Johnson-Hall, a clinical professor at William & Mary, there are legally compliant ways to deal with recalled items, but the easiest option is often to dispose of them in a dumpster. However, a growing number of companies are investing in depackaging technology to recycle recalled food, although data on the volume of recalled food being recycled is limited.
Recalls play a significant role in food waste, with some recalled items still being safe for consumption. These products can be repurposed by other businesses that focus on reducing food waste. However, the primary reason for recalls is usually allergen contamination, followed by pathogens, which restricts the ability to reintroduce these items into the market.
Companies with recalled items can explore disposal options like upcycling, converting to animal feed, composting, or anaerobic digestion. However, challenges in coordinating these disposal methods and compliance with state and local regulations often lead to recalled items ending up in landfills.
States like New York provide exceptions for recalled food in their organics recycling mandates. Massachusetts also has a waiver for recall-related exemptions in their organic waste disposal regulations. Companies may opt for conventional disposal methods like incineration for peace of mind.
To minimize the need for recalls, food producers are focusing on packaging design and ingredient choices to prevent safety issues. Repurposing off-specification items or internal quality failures is also gaining traction in the industry. Companies like Misfits Market are finding sales opportunities by offering these products to consumers or incorporating them into new products.
Overall, the food industry is becoming more conscious of food waste and is actively seeking ways to reduce waste through innovative solutions and proactive measures to prevent recalls. As companies take on a greater responsibility for managing recalls in the future, addressing food waste concerns will continue to be a top priority in the industry.
