Farmer's Market brand and Strang's Produce brand Russet Potatoes recalled due to possible tampering

Starting date:

May 22, 2015

Type of communication:

Recall

Alert sub-type:

Food Recall Warning

Subcategory:

Tampering

Hazard classification:

Class 3

Source of recall:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Recalling firm:

Loblaw Companies Limited, Strang's Produce Inc.

Distribution:

Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador

Extent of the product distribution:

Retail

CFIA reference number:

9844

• 
  Advisory details
• 
  What you should do
• 
  Who is affected
• 
  Background
• 
  Affected products
• 
  Images
• 
  Media enquiries

Advisory details

Ottawa, May 22, 2015 - Loblaw Companies Limited and Strang's Produce Inc. are voluntarily recalling certain Farmer's Market and Strang's Produce brands of Russet Potatoes from the marketplace due to possible food tampering with nails and needles. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

What you should do

Check to see if you have recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased. However, if you find a foreign metal object in a potato, please do not throw out the potato, metal object or the bag and any tags related to the product. Please contact your local police so the potatoes and related items can be passed along to the investigators.

• Sign up for recall notifications by email or follow us on Twitter
• View our detailed explanation of the food safety investigation and recall process

Who is affected

There have been no reported injuries associated with the consumption of these products.

Background

This recall was triggered by an ongoing investigation into consumer complaints of nails and needles which appear to have been inserted into potatoes. As tampering is a criminal offense, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are leading the investigation into this matter.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing recalled products from the marketplace.

Affected products

Images

Select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window

Media enquiries

CFIA Media Relations

613-773-6600