Health Canada Issues Recall on Pizza-Flavoured Chicken Nuggets Due to Plastic Contamination

Health Canada has initiated a recall for pizza-flavoured chicken nuggets following reports of plastic contamination. The federal health agency announced the recall but did not provide specifics on the location or origin of the plastic pieces within the product.

Loblaw Companies Limited, a major Canadian food retailer, confirmed that the affected products had been available at several of its supermarkets, including Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, and Zehrs. “The Sofina Foods Inc. chicken nugget recall impacted Loblaw grocery (i.e., Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Zehrs) and these products have since been removed from our shelves,” Loblaw indicated in a statement. The corporation emphasized that “food safety and quality assurance are fundamental to our business.”

The recall is linked to Sofina Foods Inc., a Canadian food manufacturer whose well-known brands include Janes, Lilydale, and Mastro among others. It is important to note that Health Canada did not specify which brand was directly involved, as the recalled product was reportedly a generic one identified by its contents and origin rather than a brand name.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a Class III recall notification at the retail level following the voluntary recall by Sofina Foods. Such recalls, according to the CFIA, involve situations where there is a low risk of any negative health impacts from consuming the recalled item. “This class also includes food that does not pose a health risk, but that does not comply with legislation,” the agency explained.

The CFIA stated that the affected chicken nuggets had been distributed to various retail outlets across Canada. In an emailed statement provided on October 10, the food inspection agency detailed that “the recalled product is generic, meaning the product does not have a brand name and is instead identified by its contents and the firm that made it.”

Health Canada advised consumers and businesses to “not use, sell, serve, or distribute the affected product.” Further comments from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are awaited, as the publication has requested additional details regarding the situation.

Besides the Loblaw outlets, approximately 99,000 units of the product were sold between 2012 and 2022. While Walmart was listed among the retailers, Amazon Canada is reportedly still investigating the recall, and other retailers might have sold the product as well.