Sobeys removes some turkeys from store shelves, offers refunds

Sobeys grocery chain has removed some of its turkeys from store shelves and is offering refunds as part of what it called a "precautionary" move ahead of Thanksgiving weekend. 

In a statement, the company said it had taken the step to remove all Sunrise grade-A fresh turkeys — sized 5-8 kilograms with a best-before date of Oct. 11 — from retail shelves in its Western Canadian stores.

The stores affected include FreshCo, IGA, Safeway, Sobeys and Thrifty Foods.

A spokesperson for the grocery chain said in a statement they were taking the step "out of abundance of caution." He did not say why the product did not meet the company's quality standards.

Meanwhile, a representative from Thrifty Foods wrote in an email that the product was found to have an unusual odor.

"Spot check sampling of Sunrise grade-A fresh 5- 8 kilogram turkeys identified that the product had an off odor," the spokesperson said.

In an email distributed to Safeway customers on Friday, shoppers were told they could return their purchase for a refund.

A recall advisory was posted on the Government of Canada website on Saturday morning that read, "Sunrise Farms brand 'young turkey with giblets' recalled due to possible spoilage."

The advisory noted that the recalled product was previously sold in several regions including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. It asked individuals and retailers to refrain from selling, using, serving, or distributing the product.