Packaging pitfalls are costing brands. Don’t be next.
In the first quarter of 2025, 45 food and beverage products were pulled from shelves due to packaging recalls, according to the FDA’s recall list. The culprit? Labeling and packaging mistakes—especially undeclared allergens. Don’t let your brand be next.
The Big Nine allergens: Hidden dangers in plain sight
21 of the recalls were caused by allergens lurking undisclosed on labels. Here’s the lineup of risky offenders:
- 🥛 Milk (Most Common Offender)
- 🍳 Eggs
- 🐟 Fish
- 🦐 Shellfish
- 🌰 Tree Nuts
- 🥜 Peanuts
- 🌾 Wheat
- 🌱 Soybeans
- 🌿 Sesame
But it didn’t stop there. Even unexpected ingredients like sulfites in dried lily flowers and golden raisins triggered packaging recalls.
Labeling errors to watch out for:
- Undeclared Allergens: Hidden dangers that can harm consumers and your brand.
- Misprinted Labels: Critical details missing, wrong, or misplaced.
- Foreign Matter Warnings: Errors that let contaminants go unnoticed.
5 steps to avoid packaging recalls:
- Digitize Label Management: Streamline your label creation and approval process.
- Automate Compliance Checks: Instantly flag missing or incorrect information.
- Centralize Packaging Data: Ensure all ingredients are accurately documented.
- Leverage AI-Powered Reviews: Spot errors faster than ever before.
- Collaborate in Real-Time: Connect your supply chain for faster issue resolution.
Stop packaging errors before they start
Packaging recalls are preventable, but only if you have the right systems in place. TraceGains and Esko deliver unmatched protection with the power of bi-directional integration, giving brands total visibility and control from source to shelf. Here’s how our combined solutions can safeguard your brand:
✅ Document & Data Management: Keep supplier docs and specs accurate, automated, and always up-to-date.
✅ Lot-Level Compliance: AI-powered COA processing extracts and validates data instantly to free your team for bigger tasks.
✅ Real-Time Compliance Tracking: Stay ahead of changing regulations with automatic updates.
✅ Smart Artwork & Labeling: Ensure labels are always accurate and compliant—no manual fixes needed.
✅ Supply Chain Transparency: Track sustainability claims and material sourcing with verified data.
TraceGains and Esko protect your brand with end-to-end packaging and labeling control. Explore our solutions now.
