The number of food safety recalls has surged in the past six months, with 29 products having been recalled.

Large manufacturers, including Cadbury, Campbell's Soups Australia and Smith's Snackfoods, have been among those recalling products.

Microbial contamination such as listeria and salmonella, failure to declare common allergens such as wheat and eggs, and foreign matter found in products were the main causes for the recalls, all of which were undertaken voluntarily.

Robert Luttrell, the managing director of the crisis management consultancy Luttrell & Associates, said that while the numbers might be related to seasonal factors, they might also be an indication that food manufacturers were taking more precautions and becoming more sensitive about protecting their reputations.