A number of food products sold in British Columbia are undergoing recalls either due to undeclared allergens, undeclared sulphites, or the presence of microscopic parasites.

Among them are frozen desserts, blueberries, spring rolls, and shrimp.

Frozen dessert cones

While British Columbians bought up frozen treats during the B.C. heat wave, a company has been recalling some of its frozen dessert products due to an undeclared allergen as one of its ingredients.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has expanded a food recall that began on April 15, when Nestlé Canada initiated a recall for specific frozen dessert cones due to undeclared milk.

Nestlé Canada previously recalled its:

• Drumstick Caramel Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert Cones (4 × 120 millilitres) with UPC 0 55000 38383 7 and all codes;
• Drumstick Vanilla Chocolate Swirl Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert Cones (4 × 120 millilitres) with UPC 0 55000 38384 4 and all codes.

On June 23, the recall for Drumstick Vanilla Chocolate Swirl Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert Cones (4 x 120 millilitres) expanded to include products with UPC 0 55000 38384 4 and codes BB 2022-FE-22 10530375.

These products are sold across Canada.

The CFIA stated that as of June 23, there was one reported reaction after consumption of this product.

Anyone with allergies to milk should not consume this product as it could cause a serious or life-threatening reaction.  

Blueberries

The CFIA announced on June 25 that Save-on-Foods is recalling Dole brand Fresh-Packed Blueberries due to potential contamination with the one-celled parasite Cyclospora.

The products are being recalled in B.C., as well as the Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

The recall includes the following product specifications:

• 170 grams with UPC 0 71430 01150 8 and codes 14632, 15032, 15046, 15646, and 15648;
• 510 grams with UPC 0 71430 01154 6 and codes 14632, 14732, 15032, 15046, 15232, 15446, 15432, 15646, and 15648;
• one pint with UPC 0 71430 01151 5 and codes 15032, 15046, 15132, 15148, 15146, 15232, 15332, 15646, and 15648.

Anyone who has these products should either dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase.

Food that’s contaminated with Cyclospora may not appear or smell spoiled but can still cause illness.

Reactions can vary greatly as some people don’t get sick at all while others suffer from a severe upset stomach. Other symptoms can include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea. However, serious illness from Cyclospora remains rare.

Anyone who becomes sick after consuming a recalled product should contact a doctor.

Spring rolls

Little Saigon Kitchen began recalling its brand of spring rolls on June 29 because they contain undeclared wheat.

Anyone with a wheat allergy, celiac disease, or any other gluten-related disorders should not consume these spring rolls sold in B.C. in 454 gram packages with UPC 6 10708 02775 1.

The recall was triggered by a consumer complaint and there has been one reported reaction associated with the consumption of this product.

Shrimp

A recall launched by Searay Foods on June 3 for Thai Best Thailand Black Tiger Shrimp, due to undeclared sulphites, expanded on June 23 to include the following products sold in B.C.

The first is Thai Best Thailand Black Tiger Shrimp (Raw Headless Shell-on) Size 16-20 (4lb x 6 packs 4 pounds) with UPC 10827510097484 (outer box) and 8 27510 00483 6 (inner box) and “Production Date: 2021/01/05 Best Before: 2023/01/05 Lot Number: 2012042THL”

The second is Thai Best Thailand Black Tiger Shrimp (Raw Headless Shell-on) Size 16-20 (may be sold unlabeled and without a brand name). These products are sold in various sizes and served by clerks, without a UPC code and includes all units sold up to and including June 17.

The affected products were sold at:

• Hanahreum Mart Inc (1780–4151 Hazelbridge Way) in Richmond;
• New Pacific Supermarket (1056–1163 Pinetree Way) in Coquitlam;
• New Empire Supermarket (111–4600 No. 3 Road) in Richmond;
• SY Farm Market (2438 East Hastings Street) in Vancouver;
• Wah Shang Seafood (232–2800 East 1st Avenue) in Vancouver;
• Wah Shang Supermarket (8108 Park Road) in Richmond.

The recall was triggered by CFIA test results and as of June 23, there weren’t any reported reactions linked to the consumption of these shrimp so far.

Consumers with sensitivities to sulphites shouldn’t consume these products, and distributors, retailers, and food service establishments, including restaurants, shouldn’t sell or use the recalled product. Instead, these food items should be disposed of or returned to the place of purchase.