Sedgwick Report: EU and UK Food Recalls Rise Amid Supply Chain Challenges

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 Sedgwick’s European Product Safety and Recall Index. Food and drink recalls rose by 2.7 percent, with regulators reporting 1,276 incidents from April to June, up from 1,242 in Q1. At midyear, total recalls reached 2,518, a 9.7 percent decline from the same period in 2024.

Non-bacterial contamination remained the leading cause of recalls, particularly aflatoxins (132 events), followed by bacterial contamination, primarily Salmonella, involved in 178 recalls. Excessive substance levels, including lead, mercury, nitrates, and ragweed, were the third-most common cause.

Fruits and vegetables accounted for the highest number of recalls (214), followed by nuts and seeds (178), and poultry and herbs/spices (105 each). The Netherlands reported the most notifications (205), followed by Germany (160) and Italy (120). Businesses face growing risks amid supply chain and regulatory pressures, highlighting the need for strategic recall management.

25-09-2025