Frito-Lay Canada's SunChips Harvest Cheddar Flavored Multigrain Snacks and Munchies Original Snack Mix are shown in this undated handout photo. Canadian Press/HO
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is investigating concerns about possible salmonella contamination in popular Frito-Lay brand snacks.
The agency said Tuesday there were no reports of illnesses, but all sizes of SunChips Multigrain Harvest Cheddar Snacks and Original Munchies Snack Mix have a best-before date of July 16th to August 13th. A recall warning was issued that was guaranteed to last until the end of the day.
Variety Packs Cheesy Mix from the same date was also included.
The University of Guelph food science professor said Salmonella is often associated with raw or undercooked chicken and eggs, but cases of contamination in potato chips are not unprecedented.
Although cases are relatively rare, Keith Wariner said it was possible for salmonella to grow in the low moisture levels of chips.
“Salmonella is very stable in dry conditions, and its spread increases in dry conditions,” Wariner explained.
The CFIA warning is related to a voluntary recall of multiple varieties of SunChips Harvest Cheddar and Munchies Original Snack Mixes announced by Frito-Lay Canada on Monday.
The company said it learned from a seasoning supplier that ingredients added by a third party may be contaminated with salmonella.
The company added that no salmonella was detected in the condiments supplied to Frito-Lay Canada, but that the products were being recalled “out of an abundance of caution.”
The CFIA said food contaminated with salmonella may not look or smell spoiled, but it can still cause illness. Recalled products must be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2024.
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