Durabilité

Callback and risk management: new data for food manufacturers

24.01.2025

| Food safety is in the spotlight worldwide as the number of warnings and recalls has reached alarming levels. In Germany, the number of published food warnings increased from 24 to 267 cases between 2011 and 2023—an increase of more than 1000 percent. But how do such recalls occur, what consequences do they have and how can safe supply chains help to minimize the risk?

Food warnings: Figures and causes

According to the German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, contamination with pathogens is the most common cause of recalls—accounting for around 33% of cases. Foreign bodies such as glass or metal fragments are responsible for 15%. Convenience products such as ready-made salads or sandwiches, whose rapid processing poses specific challenges for quality control, are particularly affected.

In 2019, around 500,000 businesses in Germany were inspected, with 12.6% of inspections resulting in complaints. Food for special nutritional requirements, such as baby food, had a particularly high complaint rate of 25.4%. Such figures underline the importance of robust quality management throughout the food industry.

The consequences for companies

A recall can have far-reaching consequences for companies, from economic losses to a loss of consumer confidence. In addition to direct costs such as the recall and disposal of affected products, there are also indirect costs, such as production downtime or loss of reputation.

In an increasingly digitalized world, information about recalls is being disseminated faster and more transparently. 

Secure supply chains as a solution

Secure supply chains play a key role in minimizing the risk of contamination and recalls. Traceability is a key aspect of this. Modern systems make it possible to precisely identify affected batches and recall them in a targeted manner instead of withdrawing entire production series from circulation. This reduces costs and maintains consumer confidence.

Technologies such as metal detectors, X-ray systems and vision inspections help to identify and reject foreign bodies at an early stage. Supplemented by digital solutions, such as the integration of GS1 Digital Links on packaging, transparency is improved across the entire value chain.

Comprehensive traceability is essential to minimize the economic risks of recalls and ensure brand safety. »
Fred Köhler
Head of the Business Unit Industry at Bizerba
Conclusion

Prevention is the key

The rising number of food alerts shows how important preventative measures are. Safe supply chains, supported by modern technologies and effective traceability systems, offer companies the opportunity to minimize risks and at the same time strengthen consumer confidence. This is not only a benefit for food safety, but also for the long-term stability and reputation of manufacturers.

In an industry where any mistake can have serious consequences, prevention is the key to a safe and sustainable future.

En un seul clic
Lydia Perdue
Marketing Manager
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À propos de Bizerba

Bizerba propose aux clients des secteurs du retail, de l’industrie et de la logistique, une gamme unique de matériels et de logiciels autour du ”pesage”. Cette offre diversifiée comprend des produits et des solutions permettant de découper, transformer, peser, encaisser, contrôler, préparer des commandes et étiqueter. Cette gamme de solutions est complétée par des prestations exhaustives, du conseil au crédit-bail, en passant par le service après-vente, les étiquettes et les consommables.

Depuis 1866, le groupe Bizerba influe de manière déterminante les progrès technologiques en matière de pesage et est aujourd’hui présent dans 120 pays. Fidèle, sa clientèle s’étend de l’artisan boucher au commerce de détail aux industries. Le siège principal du groupe, dirigé par la cinquième génération familiale, compte 4.500 collaborateurs dans le monde, est installé à Balingen, en Allemagne. Le groupe possède d’autres sites de production en Allemagne, en Autriche, en Italie, en France, en Espagne, en Chine et aux États-Unis. De plus, Bizerba entretient un réseau mondial de sites de distribution et de service.