Mini Ritz crackers recalled in Canada on undeclared allergy claims

CANADA – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a national recall for Christie Original Mini Ritz Crackers due to undeclared milk, posing a potential health risk to individuals with dairy allergies.

The recall was triggered by Mondelez Canada Inc., and the CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which could lead to further recalls. As of Feb 13, no adverse reactions have been reported. The CFIA is also ensuring the industry removes all affected products from circulation.

The recall covers the small, 200-gram bags of Original Mini Ritz Crackers. Major grocery chains, including Metro, Food Basics, Sobeys, Foodland, IGA, FreshCo, Safeway, Thrifty Foods, and Voilà fulfillment centers, have confirmed the affected products have been pulled from shelves.

“Customer and food safety remain our top priorities, and our recall process was immediately enacted to ensure our shelves are stocked only with safe, quality products,” Sobeys said in a statement.

Consumers were advised to look for the number 0 66721 02774 0 on the package and to check if they had best-before dates of June 22, 23, or 24, 2025.

Parents and caregivers of people suffering from milk allergies were especially advised to be on the lookout for these products and should they encounter them, they could either throw them away or take them back to the store where they bought them.

These unlisted ingredients are a growing problem in Canada’s food supply. Last year, about 45 food recalls were due to undeclared allergens, making up 30% of all food recalls reported to food safety officials.

When people suffering from milk allergies consume the allergen, they risk getting an allergic attack, which could manifest in a myriad of symptoms such as itchy skin to breathing problems that could necessitate immediate medical help.

Research shows that improved labeling practices could reduce allergic reactions by up to 50%. The Food Standards Agency also points out that allergenic ingredients must be emphasised in some way every time they appear in the ingredients list for example writing them in bold, contrasting colours or by underlining them.

“Accurate labeling is essential to protect consumers with food allergies. Even trace amounts of allergens can trigger severe reactions,” said Dr. Jane Smith, who treats patients with food allergies.

 Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.