Canadian Food Recalls for 2022

Food recalls are always a hot topic in Canada given that it has a massive impact on consumers and businesses. In this post, we gathered and analyzed the food recalls that happened in 2022 across Canada.

We believe that understanding the major food recall patterns can help businesses avoid costly mistakes and keep their customers safe.

In 2022, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recalled hundreds of food items. On a positive note, there were fewer recalls compared to the 2021 food recalls in Canada.

The Canadian food safety authorities have a distinct classification for the recalls they issue.

Understand CFIA’s food recall classification:

Food Recall classification in Canada:

• Type I: Assign this type to a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of (or exposure to) a recalled product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
• Type II: Assign this type to a situation where the use of, or exposure to, a recalled product may cause temporary adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.
• Type III: Assign this type to a situation where the use of (or exposure to) a recalled product is not likely to cause any adverse health consequences

How many food recalls warnings were issued in Canada in 2022?

There were 120 food recall warnings in 2022 in Canada issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This number went down from 179 in 2021. As shown in the YoY food recalls comparison in the table below, the biggest improvement happened in the fruits and vegetables category while a significant increase in fish and seafood recalls were remarkable in 2022 food recalls in Canada. Another notable change was seen candy and snack recalls whose number more than doubled year over year.

What types of food were recalled in Canada in 2022?

2022 Food Recalls by Category

2021 Food Recalls by Category

Other: 16

Other: 26

Fruits and vegetables: 10

Fruits and vegetables: 18

Nuts, grains, and seeds: 11

Nuts, grains, and seeds: 13

Candy, confectionary, snacks, and sweeteners: 23

Candy, confectionary, snacks, and sweeteners: 10

Fish and seafood: 20

Fish and seafood: 6

Meat and poultry: 7

Meat and poultry: 5

Multiple food items: 7

Multiple food items: 4

Condiments: 2

Condiments: 2

Beverages: 7

Beverages: 1

Grain products: 7

Grain products: 1

Infant products: 2

Infant products: 1

Food Recalls in 2022 by CFIA Classification:

• Class 1: 67 Recalls
• Class 2: 46 Recalls
• Class 3: 4 Recalls

2022 Meat and Poultry Food Recalls in Canada

There were a total of seven food recalls from the meat and poultry category. Here’s a quick look at these notable calls from the industry:

1. Salami products recalled due to Salmonella. Recall date: 2022-12-22
2. Salami products recalled due to Salmonella Recall date: 2022-12-19
3. Salam products recalled due to undeclared milk and wheat Recall date: 2022-11-04
4. Charcuterie products recalled due to undeclared milk. Recall date: 2022-08-19
5. Pastrami and Turkey Breast - Recall Recall date: 2022-08-11
6. Halal chicken wiener products recalled due to undeclared pea protein Recall date: 2022-07-21
7. Chicken Nuggets recalled due to Salmonella. Recall date: 2022-02-09

(Source for recall data: https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/)

You can also check out the 2021 food recalls in Canada in this article.

How does the Food Recall Process work in Canada?

When there is reason to believe that food is unsafe or does not follow federal regulations, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) initiates a 5 step process to investigate and determine if a food recall is necessary. Trigger Food safety investigation Risk assessment Recall process Follow-up

How to Avoid Food Recalls in 3 Steps

• Know your food recall history: A food business should concentrate its efforts on the high-risk areas in its manufacturing process. This can be achieved by being aware of the most frequent causes of food recalls. While avoiding a recall is done through preventative measures.
• Have a crisis plan. It's also critical to have a plan in place in case a product needs to be recalled. By maintaining accurate records of their production batches, a food company can be ready to respond.
• Use technology. A food business can access real-time manufacturing data by using an ERP-style traceability system. The time it takes to recall a product can be significantly cut down using these kinds of traceability solutions.

Source: https://inspection.canada.ca/

About Carlisle Technology

Carlisle Technology is a solution integrator that brings together hardware and software to create turn-key food traceability solutions. Our plant-floor product weighing and labeling solutions reduce human error and streamline plant-floor production. Carlisle Technology’s main software suite, Symphony, provides end-to-end traceability, from raw material receiving through to finished goods packaging. Symphony empowers food manufacturers to respond quickly when a recall event occurs. Using a tech-enabled traceability system, like Symphony, helps manufacturers adhere to government regulations, and provide safe food to consumers.

Written by: Can Malay, SEO Specialist – Carlisle Technology

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