Expert Recall

By Mike Rozembajgier

A quick review of the  FDA’s recent recall list shows the usual suspects – Beef Filet dog treats, Boiled Horse Mackerel, and Chocolate Pecan Caramel Stars, just to name a few. And most recently, recalls of name brand over-the-counter cold medications. But one item you don’t see on the list is wooden shipping pallets. Wooden pallets are, of course, a bit beyond the FDA’s jurisdiction. But in this age of increased concern for consumer safety, it may be worth asking whether food and drug safety regulation should extend to the systems and materials used to transport products from the manufacturing site to retailers and eventually to our homes. Or, at the very least, should there be cooperation between the FDA and other agencies on the regulation of things like wooden pallets? 

In fact, health and safety problems involving wooden shipping pallets aren’t new. In 1999, Coca-Cola faced the biggest recall in its history after the governments of France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands ordered Coke products removed from store shelves after hundreds of people, including many children, became ill. The culprit turned out to be wooden pallets used to transport some of the products, pallets that had been treated with a substance that transmitted an offensive odor to the product.  Coca-Cola and other companies looked for alternatives, including plastic pallets, which are now commonly used.

There are voluntary industry standards that pallet manufacturers follow, but in the wake of recent recalls involving products contaminated by chemicals used to treat the pallets for shipping these goods it will be interesting to see what actions, if any, the regulatory agencies take as they examine the implications of packing and shipping. In the mean time, manufacturers should examine their products and method of distribution, be prepared for additional testing – perhaps after the product has reached its destination to ensure it has not become tainted – and be watchful of new regulations that could affect their business and their bottom line.

Stericycle ExpertRECALL™ is the industry leader in recall logistics and regulatory compliance for consumer product, pharmaceutical, medical device, juvenile product, and food and beverage recalls. ExpertRECALL’s professionals are experts in recall management who can help you streamline the entire product recall process.