Trends and determinants of food recalls before and after the mandatory notification requirement for voluntary recalls in Japan

Abstract

This study analyzed food recalls in Japan from 2015 to 2024 and examined changes before and after the introduction of the mandatory reporting system. Recalls attributable to manufacturers consistently accounted for approximately 90 % of all recalls, and the increase since 2021 was primarily due to newly identified voluntary recalls. Recalls based on the Food Labeling Act have shown a notable increase in mislabeling of allergens, primarily due to packaging errors such as incorrect labeling. While recalls at the manufacturing stage were primarily due to microbial or foreign material contamination, raw material issues highlighted upstream risks. Category analysis revealed high risk was concentrated in "lunch boxes and prepared foods" and "confectionery," each of which showed clear risk patterns.