Food recalls and alerts: What you need to know

Learn how to check if your food is recalled, what to do if it is, and how recalls help keep Canadians safe.

If you think you have a recalled food

Check the recall notice and compare:

brand name
product name
package size
container codes, such as the universal product code (UPC) and lot number code

If all the details match, your food is recalled. If one or more details do not match, your food is not affected.

A recall may apply only to certain packages or lot codes – not every product with the same name.

If your product is recalled

Do not consume, serve, sell, or distribute it.
Throw it away safely or return it to where you bought it.
If you are unsure whether your product is affected, contact the retailer.
If you become sick after consuming the product, seek medical advice.

Why foods are recalled

Food recalls happen when food that is in distribution may pose a health risk. Recalls can result from inspections, laboratory testing, foodborne illness investigations, food safety investigations, consumer complaints, company actions, or information from domestic and international partners.

The food recall process

A potential food safety incident is identified.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) conducts a food safety investigation which may identify affected food.
Experts assess the risk to Canadians.
If necessary, a recall is conducted to remove the affected food from the marketplace.
The CFIA verifies the recall was effective and keeps Canadians informed.

Learn more about how we decide to recall a food.

Why there can be many recalls for the same incident

As a food safety investigation progresses, the CFIA may identify additional affected food linked to the same incident. When this happens, additional recalls may be conducted to help remove all affected food from the marketplace.

Food recall incident

A food recall incident represents all activities involved with recalling food due to a single incident or source.

Secondary recall

One recall incident can result in secondary recalls as the food safety investigation continues and identifies additional affected food throughout the supply chain, for example, by sharing an ingredient, supplier, equipment or manufacturing process.

Who does what during a food recall

Businesses

Remove recalled food from the marketplace.
Notify retailers and supply chain partners.
Implement corrective actions.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Conducts food safety investigations.
Oversees recalls and verifies recalled food has been removed from the marketplace.
Keeps Canadians informed through recall notices.

Consumers

Check products against recall notices.
Follow the advice in the recall notice.
Report food concerns when appropriate.

Learn more about Canada's food safety system.

Food safety communications

The CFIA issues different types of notices to inform consumers about recalls and other food safety issues.

Food recall warning

A food has been recalled because it may pose a health risk.

Food safety warning

Provides information about a food safety incident in which a recall cannot be conducted (for example, in exceptional cases when a recalling firm is unwilling, unable or has not yet been identified).

Recall notification

A food has been recalled, but the health risk is lower or more limited in scope. These are typically used when the recalled food is limited to the retail, food service sector, or when there is limited likelihood that consumers have the food in their home.

Consumer advisory

Alerts the public that the CFIA is aware of a food safety incident and is taking appropriate actions. It may or may not result in a food recall and may include information on potential risks and steps consumers can take to protect themselves.

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