CFIA Issues Recall for ‘Inspired Go’ Pre-Made Food Packages

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for several pre-made Inspired Go brand products due to potential listeria contamination. CFIA handout photo

The Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a food recall warning for several pre-made Inspired Go brand products due to possible listeria contamination.

The recalled products include the Inspired Go brand Bento Noodle Bowl, Greek Mezze Salad, Dill Chickpea Salad, Super Solstice Salad, and Pickle Platter Snack Pack, the CFIA said in its recall warning last updated on Dec. 19.

“The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination,” the CFIA says.

Inspired Go is a salad supplier that specializes in delivering read-to-eat meals directly to customers.

The CFIA originally published the warning on Dec. 14 but updated it on Dec. 19 to include additional distribution information identified during the agency’s food safety investigation.

The products are said to have been distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, as well as online.

The agency is advising consumers to check if they have any of the recalled products, and if they do, to throw the recalled products in the garbage or return them to the location where they were purchased. Consumers are also advised not to consume, use, sell, serve, or distribute the recalled products.

The CFIA says it is conducting a food safety investigation that could lead to the recall of other products. The agency also says it is verifying that the products are being removed from the marketplace.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of the recalled products as of yet, the CFIA says.

The recall has been categorized as a Class 1 recall, meaning there is a “high risk” that consuming the food products could lead to “serious health problems or death,” the agency says.

Those who think they have become sick due to consuming a recalled product are advised to contact their health-care provider.

Listeriosis

Listeriosis is caused by infection with listeria bacteria, which can happen when eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with listeria, the Public Health Agency of Canada says.

Listeria can be found in soil, sewage, and untreated water as well as in foods like fish, meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products such as milk and cheese.

“Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick,” the CFIA says, adding that symptoms may include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness.

Pregnant women, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems are “particularly at risk,” which could potentially lead to death in severe cases, the agency says.

While pregnant women who are infected with listeria may experience mild, flu-like symptoms, the agency says the infection could lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or stillbirth.