A garlic powder product sold at Dollarama stores has been yanked from shelves across the country after inspectors flagged it for bacterial contamination.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued the recall this week, targeting canisters of garlic powder from the Heavenly Spices brand. The concern centers on bacillus cereus, a type of bacteria that can trigger illness in people who consume contaminated food. The product came in 70-gram containers and had been stocked both in physical Dollarama locations and through the retailer’s online store.
Dollarama itself flagged the issue and set the recall in motion. The CFIA has classified it as a Class 2 recall, meaning the health risk is considered moderate — capable of causing temporary or non-life-threatening symptoms rather than severe, lasting harm.
Anyone still holding onto the affected canisters has been told to stop using them immediately. The recall notice specifically warns against using, selling, serving, or otherwise passing along the product to others.
For customers looking to get their money back, Dollarama has set up a straightforward process. The company is asking affected shoppers to email [email protected] along with a photo of the product and its lot number, which will allow customer service to process a refund.
This incident adds to Canada’s ongoing struggle with contaminated food products. According to Health Canada, microbial contamination — which happens when bacteria or other harmful organisms make their way into food and multiply — is the top cause of foodborne illness nationwide. The agency estimates it sickens upwards of four million Canadians every year, with symptoms typically including nausea, cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea.
While Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes tend to be the most common offenders in these situations, this particular recall involves bacillus cereus instead.
Not everyone who eats contaminated food ends up getting sick, but for those who do, Health Canada notes that symptoms usually surface somewhere between six hours and three days after exposure. Certain groups face higher risk of complications, including elderly individuals, young kids, pregnant women, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
The good news is that most people who do fall ill bounce back without medical intervention. Still, the CFIA cautions that some cases can turn serious enough to require a hospital stay, and in rare instances, patients can be left with lingering health complications like reactive arthritis.
Health officials are urging anyone who becomes ill after eating the recalled garlic powder to check in with a doctor or other healthcare provider right away.
