British Columbia

Whole Foods waffles latest to be recalled over suspected listeria contamination

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the newest recall spans the Amazon-owned grocer's organic homestyle and blueberry waffles sold under the 365 Whole Foods Market label.

Organic homestyle waffles and organic blueberry waffles join growing list of waffle products recalled

Packaging advertising 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Homestyle Waffles.
Two brands of waffles sold by Whole Foods — including this brand of organic homestyle waffles — have been recalled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency after suspected listeria contamination. (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

Whole Foods Market is joining the growing list of brands whose frozen waffles have been recalled in Canada this week because of possible listeria contamination.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says the newest recall spans the Amazon-owned grocer's organic homestyle and blueberry waffles sold under the 365 Whole Foods Market label.

The agency says the waffles recalled by Horizon Distributors Ltd. were sold in British Columbia, but may have also made their way to other provinces and territories.

It adds there have been no reported illnesses associated with the waffles, but the agency is conducting a food safety investigation, which it says may lead to the recall of other products.

Packaging advertising 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Bluberry Waffles.
The Whole Foods waffle recall joins a list of other brands who also had their products recalled in the past week. (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

Dozens of frozen waffles from brands like Compliments, Great Value, Duncan Hines and No Name were recalled earlier in the week over similar listeria concerns.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can cause vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness.

The illness is most dangerous to pregnant people, newborns, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Around 134 cases of invasive listeriosis are reported in Canada annually, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

A composite image shows the front of three different frozen waffle packages, including no name, Selection and Compliments waffles. The packages all show photos of waffles on them.
Hundreds of frozen waffles sold in Canada and the U.S. have been recalled by the manufacturer after possible listeria contamination was detected at an Ontario manufacturing facility. (TreeHouse Foods Inc.)

With files from the CBC's Alexandra Mae Jones