Recall Roller Coaster: Food, Consumer Product and Medical Device Recalls are Up; Automotive and Pharmaceutical Recalls are Down in Q3 Recall Index

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov 15, 2016

Medical device recalls reached their highest level since 2000, due in large part to software issues, according to the latest Q3 2016 U.S. Recall Index. The race to innovate more advanced medical devices no doubt improves quality of life for many patients. But advancements are also vulnerable to recalls. Of the 116 million medical devices recalled last quarter (representing a 187 percent increase), more than 48 percent were due to software or mislabeling errors.

In the food industry, innovations in detecting bacterial contamination contributed to the highest recall levels since 2010, but also contributed to an improvement in food health safety. Food companies are employing new technology to detect contaminants that previously evaded earlier testing methods.

"The medical device and food industries show how innovation works from both ends of the recall process," said Michael Good, vice president, Stericycle ExpertSOLUTIONS. "Improvements in medical devices through software can lead to recalls, but also better medical care. Food producers are pulling back more product but the food supply is safer as a result. Though innovation can be a challenge in the short run, in the long run consumers will be better off for it."

Not all market recalls trended upward in Q3, the research found. The seemingly endless cycle of automotive-related recalls actually declined to its lowest point this year, with a 69 percent drop in recalled units. One interesting finding: while defective airbags have dominated the headlines, seatbelts were the top issue driving automotive recalls this past quarter.

Pharmaceutical recalls were also down significantly – 20 percent – and recalled units were consistent with previous quarters, dropping 3 percent. Class III products accounted for 57 percent of recalled units, a change from Q2 when Class II products were the largest percentage.

Q3 also saw increases in consumer product injuries, which rose more than 200 percent over the past quarter. Burn hazards accounted for more than 70 percent of recalled products.