OTTAWA: Canadian authorities have recalled several milk products sold under the Farmers, Québon and Natrel brands after regulators said the affected cartons may contain pieces of glass. The recall covers selected 2 litre products distributed in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and nationally, depending on the brand. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said consumers, retailers and food service operators should not consume, sell, serve or distribute the recalled milk and should instead return it or throw it away.
The affected items include Farmers 1% chocolate milk, Farmers 1% milk, Farmers 2% milk and Farmers 3.25% homogenized milk sold in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, along with Québon 2% chocolate partly skimmed milk sold in Quebec. The recall also includes Natrel 1% lactose free chocolate partly skimmed milk distributed nationally. All of the listed products were sold in 2 litre cartons and carry specified best before dates and plant code information tied to the recall.
Agropur, the recalling firm, said the products were made at its Bedford, Nova Scotia plant identified as facility 3702. The company said it began the voluntary recall after an investigation linked to one reported consumer complaint identified a potential risk of material resembling glass. Agropur said no other products, brands, formats or best before dates were affected by the action, narrowing the recall to a defined set of cartons produced at the Bedford site.
Affected products by region
The food inspection agency classified the action as a Class 1 recall and said it was conducting a food safety investigation that could lead to the recall of other products. The agency also said it was verifying that industry was removing the affected products from the marketplace. The recall notice was published on March 25, one day after Agropur issued its own notice to customers and distributors about the voluntary action involving the Bedford plant’s milk production.
Best before codes listed by the regulator run from March 24 through May 15, depending on the product, and all affected cartons carry the plant code 3702. The recall spans standard white milk as well as chocolate milk, including lactose free chocolate milk sold under the Natrel brand. By identifying exact UPCs, carton sizes and date codes, the notices focus the action on a limited group of products rather than a broader range of dairy items.
Recall investigation and consumer action
For consumers, the central instruction is straightforward: check any 2 litre cartons from the three brands against the published recall details and do not use the product if it matches. The regulator said recalled milk should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase. Agropur’s notice to customers also told retailers and distributors to stop sale or distribution immediately, remove affected cartons from stock and hold them for pick up under normal recall procedures.
The recall underscores the reach a single production issue can have when one plant supplies multiple brands across several regions. Farmers products in the notice were limited to Atlantic Canada, Québon chocolate milk was limited to Quebec, and the Natrel lactose free chocolate product was distributed nationally. Authorities have not expanded the official list beyond those identified cartons, but they have urged households and businesses to review package details carefully and act on the recall instructions without delay. – By Content Syndication Services.