Additional Quaker Quinoa Granola Bars and Flavoured Sunflower Kernels Recalled as a Result of Expanded Sunflower Kernel Contamination by SunOpta

5-count boxes of Harvest Quinoa Chocolate Nut Medley bars, 5-count boxes Harvest Quinoa Yogurt Fruit & Nut bars. Image CNW Group/PepsiCo Foods Canada.

Quaker Canada today announced a second voluntary recall of Quaker® Quinoa Granola Bars and Flavoured Sunflower Kernel products, as a result of further sunflower kernel contamination found by SunOpta, an ingredient supplier.

Also read, Keep Canadians safe and avoid a food recall.

On May 16, 2016, Quaker Canada took the precautionary measure to issue a voluntary recall on a small quantity of its Quinoa Bars that were potentially impacted by sunflower kernels received from SunOpta that were potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L.mono). These products were only distributed in Ontario to a grocery retailer and a number of drug stores and pharmacies across the province.

L.mono is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. 

Since May 16, SunOpta has conducted additional testing on sunflower kernels that extended beyond the original dates of concern provided. That testing is complete and as a result, out of an abundance of caution and care for our consumers, Quaker Canada has made the decision to voluntarily expand the initial recall.

The following Quaker Canada products were distributed to Canadian retailers nationally and the company is now recalling all Lot Codes and Best Before dates for the following:

• 5-count boxes of Harvest Quinoa Yogurt Fruit & Nut bars (UPC: 1 00 55577 11020 1)
• 5-count boxes of Harvest Quinoa Chocolate Nut Medley bars (UPC: 1 00 55577 11021 8)

No other Quaker Canada products are affected by this recall.  Consumers who have purchased either Quaker Harvest Quinoa product should not consume it and call 1-800-267-6287 for refund details.

At the same time, the company is voluntarily recalling two flavoured sunflower kernels products sold under the Spitz brand. These products are manufactured by SunOpta and contain sunflower kernels that have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L.mono).

The following Spitz products were distributed to Canadian retailers nationally and the company is recalling all Lot Codes and Best Before dates for the following:

• 100 gram bags of Spitz Salted Sunflower Kernels (UPC: 69579210005)
• 100 gram bags of Spitz Dill Pickle Sunflower Kernels (UPC: 69579210012)

The recalled Spitz Kernels products are only distributed in Canada, and no other Spitz products sold in the United States or Canada are produced by SunOpta or included in this recall. Consumers who have purchased either of the Spitz Kernels flavours should not consume it and call 1-800-376-2257 for refund details.

The company is working closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and SunOpta to further investigate this issue and ensure it has been contained.

SOURCE PepsiCo Foods Canada