Determining common contributory factors in food safety incidents - A review of global outbreaks and recalls 2008-2018

•Food safety incidents were frequently reported in raw fish and ready-to-eat meals.•Incidents involve all 4 hazard categories (biological, chemical, physical, allergen).•Cross contamination and undeclared allergens are the most frequently cited causes of incidents.•Overall causes for incidents were reasonably detailed but there is limited information on root causes.•Primary and secondary causes for unidentified allergens and cross contamination were proposed.