Loblaw Companies Ltd. is recalling PC Organics baby food pouches due to a possible deadly bacteria that could form in the food.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says the pouches could allow the growth of Clostridium botulinum that can cause botulism.
The recall, triggered by a consumer complaint, was initially announced Feb. 3 and is now being expanded. The products being recalled were sold across Canada up to and including Feb. 8.
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“While the issue relates to a very small subset of products no longer available for sale, in the interest of customer trust, President’s Choice welcomes anyone with uncertainty about this product to return it for a full refund,” Loblaw said in a statement. “To date, there have been no confirmed illnesses associated with this recall.”
But the CFIA says “there have been reported illnesses that may be associated with the consumption of these products,” and advises Canadians to call their doctors if they think their babies are sick.
The affected food is sold in pouches, and a variety of flavours are affected. (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
The agency adds that food contaminated with the toxin may not look or smell spoiled, but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, blurred or double vision, dry mouth, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, ingesting contaminated food can cause death.
Loblaw says a manufacturing error resulted in too much water in the product, which can allow the bacteria to grow under certain circumstances.
“Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased,” the CFIA said.
The food was sold in the following stores:
- Ontario: Fortinos, Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Valu-mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs, Shoppers Drug Mart and affiliated independent stores.
- Atlantic Canada: Atlantic Superstore, Dominion, CashCarry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Your Independent Grocer, Shoppers Drug Mart and affiliated independent stores.
- Quebec: Club entrepôt, Maxi, Maxi Cie, Presto, Provigo, Provigo le Marché, AXEP, Pharmaprix and Intermarché
- Western Canada: Extra Foods, Loblaws City Market, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Your Independent Grocer, Shoppers Drug Mart and affiliated independent stores.
The pouches are also sold in packs. (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
The recall has now expanded to include all flavours of PC Organics strained baby food pouches. Specifically, that would include:
- PC Organics Apple, Blueberry Green Pea strained baby food, 128 mL.
- PC Organics Apple Crisp Muffin flavour puree snack, 128 mL
- PC Organics Apple, Carrot, Apricot Millet strained baby Food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Banana, Sweet Potato Blueberry strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Apple strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Apple, Banana Blueberry with Yogurt strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Apple, Banana Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food , 128 mL
- PC Organics Apple Cherry strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Peach Maple Cobbler Flavour puree snack, 128 mL
- PC Organics Banana Apple Carrot strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Pumpkin, Apple, Peach Buckwheat strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Prune, Apple, Butternut Squash Quinoa strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Pear strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Mango, Apple, Carrot Peach strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Blackberry Cobbler Flavour puree snack, 128 mL
- PC Organics Banana Kiwi strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Mango strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Banana Raspberry strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Banana, Apple, Apricot Rice strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Banana Bread Flavour puree snack, 128 mL
- PC Organics Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Sweet Potato, Banana Apricot strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Tropical Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack, 128 mL
- PC Organics Banana, Mango Apple with Yogurt strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Orange Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack, 128 mL
- PC Organics Prunes strained baby food, 128 mL
- PC Organics Apple, Banana Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food, 6×128 mL
- PC Organics Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food, 6×128 mL
- PC Organics Banana Apple Carrot strained baby food, 6×128 mL
- PC Organics Mango strained baby food, 6×128 mL
- PC Organics Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food, 6×128 mL