Product Recall Monitor
Asia 2025
This Liberty Product Recall Monitor explores different drivers of food and beverage recalls across the last 12 months.
We examine undeclared allergens in complex and processed foods and explain why they remain disproportionately implicated in food and beverage recalls — and talk about the evolving regulatory landscape across Asia. We also highlight carcinogenic contaminants that are often omitted from standard recall policies.
Summary of food and beverage recalls in Singapore
Food & beverages
Between September 2024 and September 2025, a total of 23 food and beverage recalls were issued in Singapore.
Food & beverages
recalls across
12 months
23
Main causes of recalls
Nearly 40% of all food and beverage recalls were linked to undeclared allergens.
Main causes of recalls
Source: Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
Choking risk
Foreign matter contamination
Microbiological contamination
Others
Undeclared allergens
Mixed and/or
processed foods
Mixed and/or processed foods remain the most frequently recalled category, with recall numbers more than three times higher than the second most recalled category; breads and bakery.
July 2024 - June 2025
mixed and/or
processed foods
48%
Food recalls by product category
Source: Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
Why are there more recalls in the mixed and/or processed foods category?
Multiple processing
steps:
From mixing and cooking to packaging and labelling, every stage of processing food presents potential risks for contamination – whether by harmful bacteria, foreign objects, allergens, or chemical residues. Overall, the complexity of processed food production contributes to a higher likelihood of recalls compared to simpler, single-ingredient products.
Standard recall policies frequently exclude coverage for carcinogenic substances and restrict bodily injury claims to incidents occurring within 365 days of consumption, leaving substantial risks unaddressed. In response to this critical gap, Liberty has introduced an innovative carcinogenic contamination endorsement, specifically designed to safeguard against accidental or inadvertent contamination of food products with known carcinogens*.
This enhanced coverage encompasses scenarios typically excluded under standard policies, including pesticide residue in vegetables and cadmium contamination in chocolate, offering comprehensive protection where it is most needed.
Cacao trees absorb cadmium from contaminated soils where they are grown. Some regions have naturally higher levels of cadmium in the soil, especially volcanic soils, or soils contaminated by industrial pollution, mining, or the use of phosphate fertilisers that contain cadmium as an impurity.
Cadmium can also be deposited onto cacao plants through atmospheric contamination caused by industrial emissions or airborne dust. Once settled on the plants, this cadmium can be absorbed, contributing to the overall contamination levels in the cacao crop.
Irrigation using water contaminated with cadmium can further contribute to the absorption of this heavy metal by cacao plants, impacting the safety and quality of the final product.
Cocoa beans cultivated in regions with volcanic soils, such as the Andean highlands of Ecuador and Peru, often exhibit higher cadmium levels compared to beans grown in many West African countries, including Ghana. This variation underscores the influence of soil composition on cadmium accumulation in cacao crops.
Source: As You Sow Expert Investigation Related to Cocoa and Chocolate Products
CRISIS MANAGEMENT // NEWSLETTER // ASIA
Others
Spices
Non-alcoholic
Dairy products
Alcoholic beverages
Meat and meat products
Fruits and vegetables
Breads and bakery
Confectionery
Salts, stocks, condiments
Mixed and/or processed foods
Longer supply
chains and
complex ingredients:
These foods frequently include multiple ingredients from a diverse range of suppliers, significantly heightening the risk of contamination and the accidental presence of undeclared allergens.
September 2024 – September 2025
mixed and/or processed foods
48%
Learn about Liberty's Contaminated Products Insurance
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AP1034
Last updated November 2025
About Liberty Specialty Markets
All benefits and covers described in this newsletter are subject to the terms of the relevant policy
Liberty is not authorised to provide financial product advice. The information in this document does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Always consider the applicable policy wording and other relevant documents before deciding to acquire a financial product. This information is current as at November 2025. Liberty means Liberty Specialty Markets, a trading name of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Australia Branch (ABN 61 086 083 605; AFSL No. 530842 (for claims handling and settling services only)) incorporated in Massachusetts, USA (the liability of members is limited); Liberty Specialty Markets Hong Kong Limited (UBI 66395065); Liberty Specialty Markets Singapore Pte Limited (UEN 201538069C); and Liberty Specialty Markets Singapore Pte Limited, Labuan Branch (Company No. LF12903), a licensed insurer under the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010 (Licence No. IS2016162).
For more information, read our Carcinogens endorsement factsheet
Food and beverage
Home and living
Babies and kids
Health and lifestyle
Contact us
Introduction
Mixed and/or processed foods
Spotlight on carcinogenic substances found in food
Introducing Liberty's new food & beverage carcinogenic contamination endorsement
Why Liberty?
Liberty consultants
Contact us
Soil contamination
Air contamination
Water contamination
Introducing Liberty’s new food & beverage carcinogenic contamination endorsement
Source: Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
Undeclared allergens
Milk represents 66% of the most common undeclared allergens.
Breads and bakery
Confectionery
Dairy products
Mixed and/or processed food
Spices
Others
Food recalls by product category
Recent recall examples of mixed/processed food
Egg detected
The Singapore Food Agency found undeclared egg in Fish Burger Ikan Sultan (650g), which was not listed on the product label.
Because egg is an allergen, Singapore Food Agency has ordered the manufacturer to recall the affected items.
Egg detected
Egg detected
The Singapore Food Agency found undeclared egg in Jing Li Hwa Fish Ball with Fish Roe Filling, which was not listed on the product label.
Because egg is an allergen, Singapore Food Agency has instructed the importer to recall the affected items.
Egg detected
The Singapore Food Agency found Salmonella in Primo Reserve Hot Sopressa Salami imported from Australia.
As a safety precaution, Singapore Food Agency has instructed the importer to recall the affected product – the recall is ongoing.
Salmonella detected
Foreign matter contamination
The Singapore Food Agency was alerted by the United States Food and Drug Administration about a voluntary recall of Select MadeGood Granola Bar products from the USA due to a potential metal fragment.
As a precaution, Singapore Food Agency has instructed the importer, Redmart Pte Ltd, to recall the affected items.
Foreign matter contamination
Milk detected
The Binggrae Power Cap Watermelon Flavoured Ice Tube from South Korea was recalled for undeclared milk, a known allergen. Singapore’s Food Regulations require all allergenic ingredients to be listed on packaging to protect consumers with food sensitivities.
Milk detected
Microbiological contamination
As part of its mooncake testing, the Singapore Food Agency found Bacillus cereus in Four Seasons Durian’s Mini D24 Durian Mooncake at levels above the limits set in Singapore’s Food Regulations. B. cereus commonly causes food poisoning, producing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
Microbiological contamination
Salmonella detected
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Regulations are quickly evolving
The Asia-Pacific food market
diverse and fast moving
is seeing swift regulatory change.
Governments are introducing measures from revised labelling rules and ingredient safety checks to stricter import/export controls and sustainability obligations, lifting expectations for food safety and transparency. For manufacturers operating in or exporting to China, Japan, South Korea, India and ASEAN markets, keeping up with these evolving rules isn’t just about compliance – it’s essential for maintaining a competitive strategy.
Source: Traceone 2025
Thailand
New pre-packaged food labelling regulations
Taiwan
Taiwan mandates inspection on certain imported foods and packaging
Singapore
Food (Amendment) Regulations – changes to labelling requirements to prepackaged foods
Philippines
Updates to vitamin and mineral rules for supplements
Korea
Amendment to food traceability management standards
India
Coffee-chicory labelling rules
Hong Kong
Ban and warning labels for Konjac Jelly products
China
Liquid infant formula
Recent regulatory changes across Asia
Food additives update
Food safety limits on heavy metals
Ban on calcium carbide for fruit ripening reinforced
Bans on 100% claims on food labels
New safety limits for Aloe Vera in functional foods
Codex guidelines for ready to use therapeutic goods
Updates on import food inspection rules
Spotlight on carcinogenic substances found in food
About aflatoxins
Aflatoxins are established genotoxic carcinogens that can damage DNA and induce cancer in humans and animals. Among them, aflatoxin B1 is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO) as a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. Aflatoxin B1 is the most potent genotoxic aflatoxin, followed by AFG1, AFB2 and AFG2; Aflatoxins M1 and M2 also exhibit carcinogenic potential but with lower potency relative to B1 and B2.
Consistent exposure to low levels of aflatoxins can result in chronic aflatoxicosis, which is associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, immunosuppression, impaired growth, and adverse developmental outcomes in children.
Acute aflatoxicosis can occur following short-term ingestion of food contaminated with high concentrations of aflatoxins (on the order of milligrams per kilogram), and may produce severe clinical effects including vomiting, significant hepatic injury, internal haemorrhage and death.
Source: Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
Recent recall example
Imported pistachio cream product
Made in Germany and exported to Hong Kong, the item has aflatoxin B1 exceeding Hong Kong’s safety standard. Chronic exposure to aflatoxins can lead to liver cancer, particularly in hepatitis B carriers.
About cadmium
Cadmium is a naturally occurring heavy metal found in trace amounts within the Earth’s crust. It is introduced into the environment through natural phenomena such as volcanic activity. Beyond its natural presence, cadmium plays a vital role in numerous industrial applications, including the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries, corrosion-resistant coatings and paints, plastic stabilisers, and pigments. Its widespread use underscores the importance of monitoring and managing its environmental and health impacts.
Consumption of foods contaminated with cadmium presents significant health risks, particularly with prolonged or repeated exposure. Recognised as a human carcinogen by leading authorities such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cadmium exposure has been linked to an elevated risk of developing various cancers, most notably lung cancer. It is therefore critical to address and mitigate cadmium contamination to protect public health.
Recent recall examples
Grilled clams
Herbal tea
Frozen lobster
Crayfish and scallops
Interesting fact - did you know there is Cadmium in chocolate?
Cadmium can enter chocolate primarily through the contamination of cacao plants during cultivation. The key pathways through which cadmium makes its way into chocolate include:
A recall was issued for a batch of canned clams in 2024 imported from Malaysia due to excessive levels of cadmium, a type of heavy metal.
Manufactured in the Philippines, this product was recalled due to excessive levels of cadmium.
The Singapore Food Agency issued a recall in 2024 for a frozen lobster product found to contain excessive levels of cadmium, a heavy metal. The product was found to have cadmium levels exceeding the maximum limit stated in Singapore’s food regulations.
A recall was issued in 2022 because of high levels of the toxic metal cadmium have detected in crayfish and scallops from seafood supplier which supplied this product to hotels, restaurants and markets.
Grilled clams
Herbal tea
Frozen lobster
Crayfish and scallops
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Carcinogenic substances are often excluded from standard recall policies
Why Liberty?
Liberty’s Crisis Management insurance products help to provide financial protection and assistance in the event of a product recall, malicious product tampering event or a product withdrawal.
Experts in crisis management
Market leading cover and best in class crisis support
Exceptional service, risk
engineering and local claims handling
24/7 support
Find out more
Experts in crisis management
We have a dedicated and experienced recall team which is across Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia who are well positioned to assist our broker partners and clients with insurance solutions, and advice in the product safety and recall space, and has helped many clients handle safety and recall incidents.
Our bespoke policies are tailored to suit the individual needs of clients, covering:
Product defect
Accidental contamination
Intentional impaired ingredient
Government recall
Alleged contamination
Product extortion
Malicious product tampering
Adverse publicity
Market leading cover and best in class crisis support
Our market leading Contaminated Products Insurance includes Spoilage product withdrawal coverage*. This means our policy also covers product withdrawal due to a quality issue with no threat of bodily injury. This fills the significant gap in coverage for many clients who find themselves exposed when their product is subject to a withdrawal from supermarkets due to a quality issue, as opposed to a food safety issue.
* All benefits and covers described in this monitor are subject to the terms of the relevant policy.
Exceptional service, risk engineering and local claims handling
We understand the need for a quick turnaround. Liberty has underwriters in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore and can meet with clients when needed most.
Our claims handling is managed out of Hong Kong by Senior Claims Specialist Kenneth Wan.
We have a dedicated Risk Engineer, Luis Gonzales, who provides technical support to underwriters regarding risk. Luis is available to meet with your client to help ensure we fully understand your client’s business.
You can expect 24/7 support from our dedicated crisis management consultants. We provide access to leading crisis management consultants, market leading food technologists and PR experts to assist you with the prevention, management and recovery from a product recall event.
24/7 support
If you would like to know more about product recalls and withdrawals and the tailored solutions we provide, please get in touch with a member of the Liberty Crisis Management team.
Find out more
Liberty consultants
How a client reacts in the critical first hours and days following a crisis can determine how severely they will be impacted. It is in these moments when the experience and expertise of our crisis management consultants is most valuable because they can provide timely advice and assistance to help mitigate the impact of the incident.
Can Liberty consultants provide assistance during a product recall event?
Who is on Liberty’s panel?
Are consultant’s costs covered by Liberty’s policy as a result of an insured incident?
Does the self-insured retention apply to Liberty consultants?
Can Liberty consultants also provide assistance during a product recall event?
Yes. We know it is often how a client reacts in the critical first days, or even hours, of a crisis that can determine how severe a crisis will become. This is when the experience and expertise of Liberty’s crisis management consultants is most useful. They can provide advice and assistance to help deal with the crisis at hand. In the event of an incident which may give rise to an insured event, and as part of our Liberty’s product recall policies, we have made available crisis management experts for the Insured.
Who is on Liberty’s panel?
The Liberty Crisis Management team
work closely with our panel of professional consultancies, HACCP and SE24, that provide expertise in food and safety crisis response and have a significant presence in Asia.
Together, we provide our clients with not only an insurance policy, but a comprehensive service that includes pre and post incident response and consulting.
HACCP Australia
With over twenty years in the food technology business, HACCP have years of "on the factory floor" experience. With over 15 years of involvement with the insurance industry responding to client's pre-incident and response requirements, their extensive experience and knowledge makes them one of the most experienced crisis management consultants in Asia Pacific and a significant addition to the value and expertise our clients can access.
As part of Liberty's overall risk management approach, the services provided by HACCP are not restricted to incident response. They can also be used before a crisis to help minimise the chance of a problem occurring in the first place. HACCP International is an Australian private company that also has staff in Hong Kong, UK and the USA. More on HACCP can be found on their website.
SE24
SE24 is a crisis management company dedicated to the provision of security management consultancy on a worldwide basis to clients across a broad range of risk management disciplines including product recall, kidnap & ransom, marine piracy, terrorism and cyber crime.
For product contamination and recall, the SE24 management team have been handling pre-incident and response operations for the contaminated products insurance market since 1996. They have a proven record of client engagement and loss mitigation across the manufacturing, food and beverages, pharmaceutical and automotive sectors. More on SE24 can be found on their website.
Are consultant’s costs covered by Liberty’s policy as a result of an Insured Event?
These costs are included under the policy, and continue for 12 months from first discovery of the insured event if indemnity is accepted under the policy. In the event an incident is not indemnified by the policy, Liberty will still pay the costs of the consultants up to the time Liberty first advises indemnity is not available under the policy.
Does the self-insured retention apply to Liberty consultants?
No self-insured retention applies to consultant and advisor costs. A self-insured retention is a specified amount of money that an insured party agrees to pay out-of-pocket before their insurance policy coverage begins for a particular claim.
Contact us
If you’re looking for more information regarding product recall insurance, please get in touch with our specialist crisis management underwriters.
Visit our Asia websites
Hong Kong
Malaysia
Singapore
Learn more about Liberty Specialty Markets
* Agents classified as Class I or 2A according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
of recalls
mixed and/or processed foods
Main causes of recalls
Soil contamination
Cacao trees absorb cadmium from contaminated soils where they are grown. Some regions have naturally higher levels of cadmium in the soil, especially volcanic soils, or soils contaminated by industrial pollution, mining, or the use of phosphate fertilisers that contain cadmium as an impurity.
Water contamination
Irrigation using water contaminated with cadmium can further contribute to the absorption of this heavy metal by cacao plants, impacting the safety and quality of the final product.
Cocoa beans cultivated in regions with volcanic soils, such as the Andean highlands of Ecuador and Peru, often exhibit higher cadmium levels compared to beans grown in many West African countries, including Ghana. This variation underscores the influence of soil composition on cadmium accumulation in cacao crops.
Source: As You Sow Expert Investigation Related to Cocoa and Chocolate Products
For more information, read our Carcinogens endorsement factsheet
Air contamination
Cadmium can also be deposited onto cacao plants through atmospheric contamination caused by industrial emissions or airborne dust. Once settled on the plants, this cadmium can be absorbed, contributing to the overall contamination levels in the cacao crop.
AP1034
Last updated November 2025
About Liberty Specialty Markets
All benefits and covers described in this newsletter are subject to the terms of the relevant policy
Liberty is not authorised to provide financial product advice. The information in this document does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Always consider the applicable policy wording and other relevant documents before deciding to acquire a financial product. This information is current as at November 2025. Liberty means Liberty Specialty Markets, a trading name of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Australia Branch (ABN 61 086 083 605; AFSL No. 530842 (for claims handling and settling services only)) incorporated in Massachusetts, USA (the liability of members is limited); Liberty Specialty Markets Hong Kong Limited (UBI 66395065); Liberty Specialty Markets Singapore Pte Limited (UEN 201538069C); and Liberty Specialty Markets Singapore Pte Limited, Labuan Branch (Company No. LF12903), a licensed insurer under the Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010 (Licence No. IS2016162).