When a product is recalled by the Federal Drug Administration, it can have serious implications to the average consumer.

Texans seem to have less to worry about than other states when it comes to FDA recalls.

In a study by ExerciseBike.net, the Lone Star State had the second-lowest rate of FDA food recalls in the U.S.

For the study, the research team looked at Weekly Enforcement Reports over the past four years from the FDA.

Looking at per capita recalls in each state, Texas had only 2.2 recalls per 100,000 residents – 16 times lower than Vermont, who had the most recalls.

Vermont saw the highest number of recalls per capita in 2014 and 2015. California had the lowest number of recalls in years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Texas had the lowest number of recalls in 2014.

Winter months tend to see the highest number of recalls in Texas with the majority of food recalls in December. The most FDA recalls across the country in the study time frame occurred in March, followed by July and December.

The FDA reports that the top reason for food recalls is undeclared allergens (wheat, soy, eggs, milk, nuts or other possible allergens.)

The number two reason for a food recall was salmonella, followed by listeria monocytongenes, undeclared ingredients, foreign objects or matter, and improper processing.

The most frequently recalled items were sweets and desserts (19 percent of recalls.)

The FDA said typically, companies conduct voluntary recalls of products that are possibly contaminated or mislabeled.  

The number of recalls varies from year to year, with the highest percentage of recalls in this time frame occurring in 2017.

Many factors can contribute to the number of recalls in a state include changes in weather, soil nutrition or issues with product transportation.

According to FoodSafety.gov, the top three reasons for a food recall is the presence of an organism that can make consumers sick, such as E. coli or salmonella; undeclared allergens or mislabeled or misbranded products.

The amount of time between a declared recall and the completion of the recall can take several months. The average time for completion of a recall in the U.S. was 10.1 months. Texas fared slightly better than the average at 9.9 months for recall completion.

The reason for the recall appears to affect the length of time for the completion of a recall. The termination, or completion of a recall, is commensurate with the degree of the hazard that is being recalled.

Chemical contamination (3.9 months), possible salmonella (8.8 months) or bacterial contamination (8.9 months) had some of the shortest times for recall completion.

Cases of unapproved or incorrect ingredients took the longest to recall with an average time of 12.8 months to resolve.

The FDA regulates most food products in the country except for meat, poultry, drinking water and alcohol, which are regulated by other agencies.

The FDA is of vital importance in safeguarding the American food supply. Without adequate regulation, millions of consumers are at risk of consuming substances that could make them sick or even prove fatal.

Consumers are urged to sign up for free recall notifications and heed warnings issued by manufacturers.

If you suspect a food product you purchased is included in a recall, the FDA suggest consumers either throw the product away or return it to the store in which it was purchased so it can be disposed of properly.

For current FDA food product recalls, visit: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.

See the full ExerciseBike.net study at: https://www.exercisebike.net/food-recalls-by-state/.

Claire Kowalick, a senior journalist for the Times Record News, covers local government, military and MSU Texas. If you have a news tip, contact Claire at ckowalick@gannett.com.

Twitter: @KowalickNews

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