Loblaw Companies Limited and Strang's Produce Inc. are voluntarily recalling certain Farmer's Market and Strang's Produce brands of Russet Potatoes from the marketplace due to possible food tampering with nails and needles.
Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.
This recall was triggered by an ongoing investigation into consumer complaints of nails and needles which appear to have been inserted into potatoes. A list of recent incidents is included after the list of recalled products.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings. As tampering is a criminal offense, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are leading the investigation into this matter.
Recalled Products:
| Brand Name | Common Name | Size | Code(s) on Product | UPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strang's Chef | Potatoes Jumbo for Chips | 50 lb (22.7 kg) | Julian dates between 060 – 135 followed by 11W or 12W Examples: 11412W, 13011W | 033383454900 |
| Farmer's Market | Potatoes Russet | 15 lb (6.8 kg) | Julian dates between 060 – 135 followed by 11W or 12W Examples: 11412W, 13011W | 061483014779 |
| Farmer's Market | Potatoes Russet | 10 lb (4.54 kg) | Julian dates between 060 – 135 followed by 11W or 12W Examples: 11412W, 13011W | 061483014786 |
| Farmer's Market | Potatoes Russet | 5 lb (2.27 kg) | Julian dates between 060 – 135 followed by 11W or 12W Examples: 11412W, 13011W | 061483005920 |
| Strang's Produce | Potatoes | 15 lb (6.8 kg) | Julian dates between 060 – 135 followed by 11W or 12W Examples: 11412W, 13011W | 3338345486 |
| Strang's Produce | Potatoes | 10 lb (4.54 kg) | Julian dates between 060 – 135 followed by 11W or 12W Examples: 11412W, 13011W | 3338345485 |
| Strang's Produce | Potatoes | 5 lb (2.27 kg) | Julian dates between 060 – 135 followed by 11W or 12W Examples: 11412W, 13011W | 3338345481 |
Recently reported Incidents
Prince Edward Island:- Prince Edward Island RCMP Major Crime Unit responded to a potential food tampering incident on May 18, 2015, following a complaint that a metal object was found in a potato. Preliminary investigation has determined that the item had been purchased from the Atlantic Superstore in Montague. The customer turned over the potato for further investigation.
- On May 21, 2015, a Tabusintac resident reported the discovery of a nail in a potato to police. The bag the potato was found in was purchased at the Tabusintac Co-op on May 13. The nail was discovered on May 18. RCMP have recovered the potato, nail and bag for further investigation.
- On May 19, the BNPP Regional Police Force in Nigadoo received a complaint from the owner of the Petit-Rocher Inter Marché that a customer had discovered a nail in a potato and returned it to the store.
Nova Scotia:
- On May 19th at approximately 8:40 a.m., Antigonish District RCMP responded to a complaint of food tampering after a nail was located inside a potato. Preliminary investigation determined that the complainant had purchased a bag of Farmer's Market potatoes from the Atlantic Superstore in Antigonish in late April or early May. The man turned over the potato and nail to the RCMP.
- On May 20th, Barrington RCMP became aware of a similar incident at the 'No Frills' grocery store in Barrington Passage. RCMP approached the store manager who confirmed that a nail had been found in a Farmer's Market potato last week. The store manager turned over the potato and nail to the RCMP.
- Update May 25 (Source: CBC): A grocery store employee sorting through a bag of recalled potatoes is the latest person to find a nail in a russet potato sold under the Farmer's Market brand. Police say the discovery was made at an Atlantic Superstore on Quinpool Road in Halifax. The employee turned over the potato, nail and remaining bag of potatoes to police.
No injuries were reported as a result of any of these incidents.
RCMP would ask that anyone who finds any foreign metal objects in a potato to refrain from throwing out the potato, metal object or the bag and any tags related to the product. Please contact your local police so the potatoes and related items can be passed along to the investigators.
Source: RCMP of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia respectively.
