Why Are Food Recalls Becoming More Common in Canada Lately?
Why Food Recalls in Canada Seem More Frequent Lately
Canada has witnessed several high-profile food recalls this year—ranging from sweet kale salad kits to plant-based milks—and even some tragic cases of illness and death linked to Listeria.
What’s Happening?
Over the summer, one of the most notable recalls involved a listeriosis outbreak tied to certain Silk and Great Value plant-based beverages. Tragically, three people in Ontario lost their lives, and 20 others fell ill in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Alberta. The contaminated products included almond and oat milks.
Listeria-contaminated foods can sometimes pass unnoticed, as not everyone exposed develops illness. However, severe cases may lead to meningitis, blood infections, or complications during pregnancy that could harm the fetus.
The Public Health Agency of Canada announced last month that the outbreak investigation had concluded, stating the issue appeared to be resolved.
Elsewhere, the U.S. reported cases of E. coli tied to McDonald’s slivered onions and a Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats, affecting 61 people across 19 states.
In Canada, recent recalls have targeted organic carrots due to E. coli risks, and cucumbers and chopped kale salads over Salmonella concerns.
Are Food Recalls Increasing?
Not necessarily. Meghan Griffin, acting manager of food safety and recalls at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), stated that 139 recalls have been issued so far in the 2024–25 fiscal year, which ends March 31. This is consistent with the average of 220 to 250 recalls per fiscal year over the past five years. The 2019–20 fiscal year was an outlier, with 560 recalls.
The perception of an increase might be due to heightened public and media attention, along with faster identification of contamination through advanced technology.
Timothy Lytton, a law professor at Georgia State University, explains, “The surge in media coverage and public anxiety amplifies the visibility of recalls, even if the actual risk hasn’t increased significantly.”
Why Are Recalls Issued?
Recalls aren’t always tied to outbreaks or illnesses. Some occur preemptively when routine testing uncovers issues. For example, the recent sweet kale salad recall was initiated by the company without any reported illnesses.
Recalls may also address foreign materials like glass, unlabelled allergens, or compliance with bilingual labelling requirements.
While recalls can be alarming, they highlight the effectiveness of Canada’s food safety system in identifying and addressing potential risks promptly.
What Is the Food Industry Doing to Address Contamination?
Farmers are being encouraged to take preventive measures, such as testing irrigation water and compost for fecal contamination from livestock, wildlife, or manure, says microbiologist Keith Warriner, a food safety professor at the University of Guelph. These steps aim to reduce the presence of harmful pathogens.
Warriner also highlights the potential of new technologies, such as advanced decontamination methods, to enhance food safety. Previously, some foodborne contamination may have gone undetected. Now, DNA fingerprinting allows investigators to trace pathogens, such as E. coli O157, back to the contaminated product—like onions—more efficiently.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) prioritizes inspections of food processing facilities based on risk, Warriner explains. High-risk products, such as deli meats and seafood, are inspected more frequently, while facilities producing lower-risk items, such as plant-based milks, may not receive the same level of scrutiny.
CFIA investigations can be triggered by consumer complaints, routine sampling, or reports from companies. When warranted, the agency conducts on-site inspections, reviews records to pinpoint the source of the contamination, assesses exposure levels, and determines whether a recall is necessary.
If a recall is issued, the CFIA ensures follow-up measures are in place to confirm that no recalled products remain on store shelves, helping to protect public health.
