Why Do Recalls Always Seem To Get Bigger And Never Stay The Same?

Pedigree’s recent expanded recall of dog food presents one possible explanation.

Sept 4, 2014-- Pedigree Dog Food's recent recall is a good example of how traditional inventory systems are ineffective in retrieving immediate and accurate lot tracking information.

It is stated in Pedigree's recall notice that “this recall is being expanded to Sam’s Club in the U.S. because some of the affected production lot was originally said to be held in inventory but was instead released to consumers, which has necessitated the expansion of the recall.”

When multiple recall notices are issued and the recall expands in scope, it is an indication that the lot identification and traceability is not instantly retrievable using the systems currently in place.

This raises the following questions:

  • Are current inventory systems effective for recalls?
  • Is the traceability system in place effectively tracking all lots in every stage of production and distribution?
  • Is there a need for a new approach?

At ConcernTrak we think so.