Lactantia Milk Sold at Costco Recalled for Excessive Vitamin A and D Levels

Lactalis Canada has launched a voluntary recall of a particular lot of its Lactantia UltraPūr two per cent milk, which was sold at a single retailer, due to the detection of excessive levels of Vitamin A and D beyond the recommended daily intake limits. poomsak suwannasilp/Shutterstock

Lactalis Canada has launched a voluntary recall of Lactantia UltraPūr 2 percent milk sold at Costco due to “over-fortification of Vitamin A and D compared to the recommended daily intake limit.”

Consuming the product may pose a “food safety risk,” Lactalis Canada said in a statement posted to its website.

“Consumers who have purchased the affected product are advised not to consume it,” the statement says.

The recall initiated by the company has been categorized as Class 2 by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), indicating a moderate risk that consuming the food may lead to short-term or non-life-threatening health problems.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product, according to the CFIA advisory, but the agency recommends that consumers inspect their refrigerators for the recalled item and suggests either discarding it or returning it to the place of purchase.

The product can only be purchased at Costco and is set to expire on June 22, Lactalis Canada said.

“We want to assure consumers that this recall is limited to the specifically stated product and lot sold exclusively at Costco and does not affect any Lactantia UltraPūr 2% M.F. dairy beverage sold through other retailers or any other Lactantia UltraPūr products,” the company added.

The CFIA said it is conducting a food safety investigation in connection with the recall that could lead to the recall of other products.

Vitamin Fortification

Canada developed a vitamin D fortification strategy designed to increase or allow vitamin D in certain foods because one in five people living in Canada are not getting enough vitamin D, Health Canada said.

The agency published new regulations in 2022 to approximately double the amount of vitamin D required in cow’s milk and margarine. It also updated its policies to increase vitamin D in yogurt and plant-based milks.

Although many dairy products are vitamin fortified, the agency noted that the amount of vitamins added are regulated.

Over-fortification of vitamins A and D involves the accidental addition of these nutrients at levels significantly above the established safe recommendations, according to Health Canada. Because these are fat-soluble vitamins, they are stored in the body’s fatty tissues and liver rather than flushed out, meaning high doses can build up to toxic levels over time.

Chronic high levels of vitamin A can cause enlarged liver and is strongly linked to an increased risk of fetal abnormalities, while too much vitamin D can cause kidney damage and cardiac abnormalities.