A popular brand of baby cereal is being taken off shelves across Canada because of potential contamination with Cronobacter bacteria.
Baby Gourmet Foods, headquartered in Calgary, has issued a recall for its Banana Raisin Oatmeal Organic Whole Grain Cereal, which comes in 227-gram packages.
Cronobacter is a type of bacteria that can sometimes be present in dry foods like powdered infant formula, powdered milk, and herbal teas, according to the Government of Canada.
This bacteria has the potential to cause severe or even fatal infections, particularly in newborns, affecting the bloodstream, central nervous system, and intestines.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) initiated the recall following tests that revealed the presence of Cronobacter.
According to the CFIA’s website, food contaminated with Cronobacter may not show any signs of spoilage like unusual smells or appearances, but it can still pose health risks.
“While Cronobacter infections are not common, they can lead to serious or fatal illnesses in rare cases,” states the CFIA.
Baby Gourmet Foods reassures consumers that no other products under the Baby Gourmet or Little Gourmet brands are affected by this recall, and there have been no reported incidents related to this specific cereal so far.
The company advises consumers who have purchased the Banana Raisin Oatmeal Organic Whole Grain Cereal to either discard it immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
