Garlic Powder Recall Affects Shoppers Across Canada
A garlic powder sold at Dollarama stores across Canada is being recalled after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency identified contamination with Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can cause vomiting and diarrhea, according to a notice released Wednesday.
Details of the Recalled Product
The product, Heavenly Spices garlic powder, is packaged in a 70 g container. Its 12‑digit UPC barcode is 6 67888 50634 7 and the best‑before code reads “BB: 2029 JAN 30 GP 30ZV PIT”. The CFIA says the item has been removed from shelves due to microbial contamination.
Anyone who purchased the spice should not use, sell, serve, or distribute it.
Risk Classification
The recall is classified as Class 2, which the CFIA describes as a moderate risk that consumption of the food may result in short‑term or non‑life‑threatening health problems.
Understanding Bacillus cereus
What Is Bacillus cereus?
Bacillus cereus is a spore‑forming bacterium recognized as a common cause of food‑borne illness, producing diarrheal and vomiting syndromes as well as gastroenteritis, according to Health Canada.
The organism is highly resistant to heat, freezing, drying, gamma radiation and ultraviolet light, making it difficult to eliminate through typical food‑preservation methods.
Symptoms typically include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and vomiting, and the illness usually lasts 12 to 24 hours, though it can persist for several days.
While severe complications are rare, occasional deaths have been reported, including three cases linked to the necrotic enterotoxin CytK produced by certain strains of the bacterium.
