McCain Tasti Taters Recalled in Canada Over Plastic Contamination

A student reaches for tater tots at an elementary school in this file photo. AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

Canadian frozen food company McCain has announced a nationwide recall of one of its tater tot products because the food items could contain plastic pieces.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) published the recall alert on Dec. 9 for McCain Tasti Taters brand Crispy Potato Bites, which were distributed across Canada in 800 gram and 1.8 kilogram sized bags.

“Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected products,” the recall says.

The affected lots for the 800 gram size consist of those bearing the Universal Product Code (UPC) 0 55773 00079 5 (codes F250226; 1005286322). Recalled products in the 1.8 kilogram size are those featuring UPC 0 55773 00306 2 (codes F250226; 1005286328).

The CFIA has categorized the recall as Class 2, the second tier of risk among three assessment levels. The agency defines a class two recall as a situation presenting moderate risk, where the consumption of the food might lead to short-term or non-life threatening health problems.

The food inspection agency says McCain informed the government about the recall but the CFIA did not say how many units were sold or how many consumers may have been impacted.

Salmonella-Related Recall

The CFIA is also warning of salmonella contamination in a snack mix from a store in a southwestern Ontario city.

An Ontario recall notice has been issued for the Sweet and Savory Mix sold at Vincenzo’s located on Caroline Street South in Waterloo.

The agency said there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of the snack mix, but it is advising customers not to eat the product if it bears a ‘best before’ date of Dec. 10.

The CFIA said it has launched a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products.

Salmonella-tainted food may not look or smell spoiled, but consumption could cause food poisoning, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Salmonella bacteria can cause a wide range of symptoms for those who fall ill.

Chills, diarrhea, fever, nausea, stomach cramps, sudden headaches, and vomiting are the most commonly experienced symptoms. These symptoms generally improve within four to seven days.

The groups most vulnerable to illness are young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems, the agency’s website said. Symptoms typically manifest within six to 72 hours.

Becoming seriously ill is rare, the agency said, but those who do could develop long-term health issues such as reactive arthritis or infections of the brain, heart, or bones. Complications generally appear within four weeks.