Canadians who are allergic to milk may want to double-check the labels of any Mini Ritz Crackers they have in their pantries.
A nationwide recall has been issued for Christie brand Original Mini Ritz Crackers because they may contain milk that is not listed among the ingredients, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said in a Feb. 11 advisory.
“Do not consume recalled products to which you are allergic or sensitive as they may cause a serious or life-threatening reaction,” the CFIA said in its advisory, while noting no reactions have been reported in connection with the product.
The 200-gram resealable bags of crackers have the ‘best before’ dates of June 22, June 23, and June 24 and have a printed barcode of 0 66721 02774 0.
A food safety investigation has been launched to look into the matter, which could lead to the recall of other products in the future, the federal agency said. The agency is also in the process of confirming that all necessary steps have been taken to remove the recalled products from the marketplace.
Those with allergies should dispose of the recalled products or return them to the store where they were purchased, the notice said.
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A similar recall has been issued for Lambert frozen yogurt.
The company’s strawberries and cream frozen yogurt has been recalled in Quebec due to undeclared egg, according to a Feb. 7 advisory. The affected 500-millilitre containers have a UPC code of 8 238858 501222.
Eggs and milk top the list of the most common allergens in Canada. Both are labelled as “priority allergens” by CFIA.
Food allergies can lead to a wide range of reactions, from mild symptoms such as hives to severe responses like anaphylaxis, Health Canada says.
Other allergic reactions include swelling of the face, lips, and tongue, itching, warmth and redness and respiratory issues like coughing, wheezing, or hay fever-like symptoms as well as nausea, cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea, the health agency said on its website.
Acute reactions can result in pale or blue-tinged skin colour, weak pulse, feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness, difficulty swallowing, or even loss of consciousness.
Those who experience anaphylaxis may display symptoms such as respiratory distress, hypotension, or shock, which can lead to loss of consciousness and, in severe cases, may be fatal.
