I agree that I don't write off a food simply because of a recall. It is definitely a matter of how they handled it. For example, I do not like the way Diamond handed all their recent mess or past messes.
Merrick consistently has quality control issues. I do not trust them. Even as far back as 2003... they killed lots of dogs when Go! was using their facilities. It's an issue mostly kept hush hush, but it was pretty bad.
http://holisticpetfood.wordpress.com...a-2003-recall/ Go! and Now! immediately stopped using them.
Some companies have had a few minor issues, or voluntarily recalls, or whatever the case may be, and seem to have things under control and are very honest with the customers - that does not bother me one bit.