UK and EU record recall increase

Recalls in the United Kingdom and Europe increased in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the first three months of the year, according to data from Sedgwick’s European Product Safety and Recall Index.

In the second quarter of 2025 (Q2), recalls in the food and drink sector went up by 2.7 percent.

The report, which also covers the pharmaceutical, automotive, consumer products, and medical device sectors, reported that U.S. tariff discussions continued to impact multiple industries.

Regulators in the EU and UK reported 1,276 food and beverage product recalls in April to June, up from 1,242 in Q1 2025. At the halfway point of the year, there were 2,518 recalls. This is 9.7 percent fewer than the 2,789 recorded in the same period in 2024.

Recall specifics
With more than 500, non-bacterial contamination remained the leading cause of recalls but declined slightly from the previous quarter. Aflatoxins were the most frequently cited contaminant, linked to 132 recalls in Q2.

Bacterial contamination was the second-most common cause of recall activity, cited in 244 events, up from 237 in Q1. Salmonella was the primary agent, associated with 178 recalls in Q2.

Excessive substance levels were the third-most prevalent reason for recalls. Some of the substances included lead, mercury, ragweed and nitrates.

Fruits and vegetables had the highest number of recalls with 214 reported in Q2, down from 270 in the previous quarter. Nuts, nut products, and seeds followed with 178 recalls, an increase from 150 in Q1. Poultry meat and poultry meat products and herbs and spices were joint third, with 105 incidents each.

The Netherlands issued the most recall notifications in Q2 with 205, up from 195 in Q1. Germany reported the second highest with 160 notices and Italy was in third with 120 alerts.

Chris Occleshaw, international product recall consultant at Sedgwick, said: “Amidst supply chain challenges, ongoing trade negotiations, and increased responsibilities throughout the entire product lifecycle, businesses must manage a growing risk portfolio. Doing so successfully requires a strategic and well-practiced plan for addressing product recalls and in-market challenges.”

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