Canadian Food Inspection Agency Issues Urgent Recall Notice
A recall has been issued for several bread products sold at major retailers across Ontario and Quebec due to the presence of “pieces of metal” in the products. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) updated the recall notice on November 5, citing Compliments, Dempster’s, Harvest Gold, Pom, and Sunshine brands as affected.
The recall, initiated by Bimbo Canada, impacts bread distributed to retailers including Costco, Metro, Sobeys, Food Basics, and other grocery outlets. The issue stems from the use of contaminated salt supplied by Compass Minerals, specifically their Sifto brand Hy-Grade salt, which was found to contain pieces of metal.
Retailers Respond Swiftly
Retailers affected by the recall have taken prompt action to remove the impacted products from their shelves:
- Metro and Food Basics: A spokesperson confirmed the products identified in the recall have been removed from their stores.
- Sobeys: A company representative stated, “We continue to diligently follow all recall notices to ensure the safety of our customers. Food safety is our top priority, and our recall process was immediately enacted as soon as we were notified.”
- Costco: The retailer issued its own recall notice on November 7 for various Dempster’s bread products sold in its stores.
- Amazon: The recall notice has also been posted for bread sold through its platform.
Despite efforts, Loblaw has not yet provided a response regarding the recall.
Details of the Contamination
The CFIA’s investigation into the salt contamination began with a recall notice for Sifto brand Hy-Grade salt on October 29. This salt was widely distributed to manufacturers, leading to significant secondary recalls, including bread products from multiple brands.
In addition to the Bimbo Canada recall, a previous notice on November 1 linked Wonder Brands Inc. bread and buns to the same salt contamination issue. That recall affected products sold under brands such as Country Harvest, Deli World, D’Italiano, Giant Value, Great Value, no name, President’s Choice, and Wonder. These items were sold at retailers including Sobeys, FreshCo, Foodland, Metro, Shoppers Drug Mart, Amazon, Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, and Zehrs.
Scope of the Recall
The recall impacts a broad range of bread and bun products distributed across Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Quebec. While the Wonder Brands recall was limited to retail-level withdrawals, some consumers may have purchased affected products before they were removed.
No Reported Injuries
The CFIA has confirmed that there have been no reports of injuries or complaints related to the consumption of these products. Nevertheless, the agency urges consumers to check their pantries and discard any products listed in the recall notices.
Ongoing Investigation
The CFIA continues to work closely with Compass Minerals Canada Corp. and affected manufacturers to ensure all impacted products are removed from the marketplace. Secondary recalls are being issued as needed, and the investigation remains active.
Consumers are advised to visit the CFIA’s food investigation page and the Government of Canada’s recall and safety alert page for the latest updates and a complete list of recalled products.