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Abstract
This paper examines how the characteristics of a recall affect the volume of media coverage about that recall. We link data on media reports to a comprehensive list of virtually all recalls of meat products over the period 2001--2012. We find considerable evidence that, up to a point, the characteristics of a food recall significantly affect reporting about that recall. Specifically a one percent increase in the volume of meat recalled results in a 0.1 percent increase in media coverage. In addition, we find that media coverage is significantly larger for incidents related to bacterial contamination as compared to other types of recalls.