PRODUCTS RECALLS : A DANGEROUS ESCALATION | Le Doc du Mardi | France 5

Every year in France, 2,000 to 3,000 food product references are recalled by the manufacturers themselves or by the authorities. The seriousness of these recalls varies from simple labelling errors to the presence of pathogenic bacteria. And sometimes these are the cause of health scandals, or even tragedies. As in March 2022, when the Buitoni company recalled its pizzas due to contamination with Escherichia Coli bacteria. In the meantime, two children died and dozens more were hospitalized. Some are now disabled for life. A month later, millions of Kinder chocolates were recalled on suspicion of salmonella. No deaths this time, but over 400 people were poisoned in Europe, including around a hundred in France alone.

Hygiene problems, lack of controls or a desire to cut costs at all costs… Could these contaminations have been avoided? What are the obligations of professionals in terms of sanitary controls? And how can we be sure that the products we eat won’t make us ill?

For several months, Émilie Helmbacher investigated these food recalls, which are supposed to protect us, but which have become indicative of certain abuses. From manufacturers to supermarkets, via laboratories and government departments, she has traced the production chain of food products, right up to the moment they are placed on the market.