GeraEats / Recall Watch
UK Food Recall & Allergen Risk by Category
The Gera Recall Watch Index (GRWI) ranks 13 UK food product categories by FSA recall and allergen alert frequency over a rolling 24-month window, using 320 real Food Standards Agency alerts (as of June 2026).
Which UK food category has the highest FSA recall and allergen alert risk in 2026?
Over the 24 months to June 2026, the FSA issued 320 food alerts across 13 product categories. Dairy & Cheese carries the highest Gera Recall Watch Index score (100.0/100) with 82 alerts — 64 being Allergy Alerts — and 9 distinct allergens implicated. Nuts (100 alerts) is the most frequently implicated allergen nationally. Source: FSA Food Alerts API, OGL v3.0.
GRWI by food category — all 13 categories ranked
| # | Category | GRWI /100 | FSA Alerts | Allergy Alerts | Allergen diversity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dairy & Cheese | 100.0 | 82 | 64 | 9 |
| 2 | Other Food Products | 86.8 | 58 | 26 | 12 |
| 3 | Sauces & Condiments | 67.4 | 40 | 40 | 6 |
| 4 | Meat & Poultry | 63.3 | 34 | 14 | 11 |
| 5 | Drinks & Beverages | 50.8 | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| 6 | Ready Meals | 50.3 | 27 | 6 | 7 |
| 7 | Snacks & Confectionery | 48.9 | 25 | 13 | 7 |
| 8 | Fish & Seafood | 46.3 | 26 | 6 | 8 |
| 9 | Pasta & Grains | 42.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 10 | Bakery & Bread | 39.9 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| 11 | Fruit & Vegetables | 30.7 | 10 | 3 | 5 |
| 12 | Supplements & Health Foods | 3.9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Sandwiches & Wraps | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Your allergen & category risk check
Select an allergen or food category to see its recall risk profile.
| Category | GRWI | Alerts | Risk band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dairy & Cheese | 100.0 | 82 | High |
| Other Food Products | 86.8 | 58 | High |
| Sauces & Condiments | 67.4 | 40 | Elevated |
| Meat & Poultry | 63.3 | 34 | Elevated |
| Drinks & Beverages | 50.8 | 6 | Elevated |
| Ready Meals | 50.3 | 27 | Elevated |
| Snacks & Confectionery | 48.9 | 25 | Moderate |
| Fish & Seafood | 46.3 | 26 | Moderate |
| Pasta & Grains | 42.5 | 4 | Moderate |
| Bakery & Bread | 39.9 | 6 | Moderate |
| Fruit & Vegetables | 30.7 | 10 | Moderate |
| Supplements & Health Foods | 3.9 | 1 | Lower |
| Sandwiches & Wraps | 0.0 | 1 | Lower |
GRWI 0–100: higher = higher FSA recall/allergen alert frequency. Source: FSA Food Alerts API, OGL v3.0. Rolling 24-month window.
Allergen hubs — 13 named allergens
UK food recall and allergen risk — frequently asked questions
What is the Gera Recall Watch Index (GRWI)?
The Gera Recall Watch Index is a 0–100 composite index computed for each UK food product category from real FSA Food Alerts open data. A higher GRWI indicates higher frequency and severity of food recalls and allergen alerts in that category over a rolling 24-month window. The formula combines alert count, proportion of Allergy Alerts (AA), allergen diversity, and a 6-month trend factor. Full methodology: https://geraeats.com/recall-watch/methodology.
Which food category has the most UK allergen alerts in the past 24 months?
Dairy & Cheese has the highest GRWI (100.0/100) with 82 FSA alerts in the 24 months to June 2026, of which 64 are Allergy Alerts — the highest consumer-risk class. 9 distinct allergens are implicated in that category. Data: FSA Food Alerts API, OGL v3.0.
What is the most common allergen in UK food alerts?
Nuts (tree nuts) is the most frequently implicated allergen in UK FSA food alerts, with 100 alerts in the 24 months to June 2026. Milk (73 alerts) and Peanuts (63 alerts) rank second and third. Source: FSA Food Alerts API, OGL v3.0.
What is the difference between an Allergy Alert (AA) and a Product Recall (PRIN)?
An Allergy Alert (AA) is issued when a food product contains an undeclared allergen that poses a risk to consumers with allergies or intolerances. A Product Recall (PRIN) covers broader food-safety issues — including microbial contamination (Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli), physical hazards, and chemical contamination — not limited to allergens. Both types appear in the FSA Food Alerts open data used by the GRWI.
How often is the Gera Recall Watch Index updated?
The GRWI is rebuilt from the FSA Food Alerts API on a monthly cadence. The figures shown were last computed on 2026-06-20 (data as of June 2026). The FSA publishes new alerts typically within 24–48 hours of issue.
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Methodology summary
GRWI = min–max normalised composite of: FSA alert count (24mo) × 0.5 + allergen-alert fraction × 20 + allergen diversity × 2 + trend factor × 3. Higher = higher recall/allergen risk for that category. Trend factor = alerts last 6 months / prior 6 months. Full methodology →
Total alerts in FSA database: 1,328 (all published since 2018). Rolling 24-month window (320 alerts) used for GRWI; last refreshed 2026-06-20.
Source: FSA Food Alerts open REST API (Food Standards Agency). Data as of June 2026; published 2026-06-20. Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Ratings reflect the most recent inspection on record and may have changed since publication.