‘IMMEDIATELY STOP USING’: Major recalls on snacks sold at Costco, drinks at Walmart, Canadian Tire seats, Best Buy containers and Toys R Us mini-sets trigger Health Canada warnings to shoppers

A number of products are being pulled from shelves as Health Canada has issued a number of recalls for Canadian shoppers.

One of the recalls involves certain snacks sold at Costco.

Organic Aussie Bites, Costco item 891394, were sold at a Costco warehouse, Costco Business Centre or on Costco.ca between March 14 to June 16, Costco said in its recall notice.

Best Express Foods Inc. is recalling the Organic Aussie Bites due to the presence of undeclared gluten, the company said.

“Do not consume the product if you have celiac disease or other gluten-related disorders as it may cause a serious or life-threatening reaction,” the warning states. “You may return the Organic Aussie Bites to a Costco warehouse to obtain a full refund.”

For more information, please contact Best Express Foods online or at 1-800-282-6645 (English only).

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and ask you to please pass this letter along to anyone to whom Organic Aussie Bites may have been given,” Costco said.

There is also a big recall at Walmart’s Canadian stores regarding certain beverages.

Various Silk and Great Value brand plant based refrigerated beverages are being recalled due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said in a “national” warning to shoppers.

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your health care provider, the CFIA said.

“Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products,” the warning states. “Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased.”

Walmart Canada spokesperson Felicia Fefer confirmed the affected products are being removed from sale in-store and on Walmart.ca.

“At Walmart Canada, food safety is a top priority,” she said in an email to Metroland.

Here are photos, codes and sizes for the recalled Walmart items:

As of July 8, nine confirmed cases of listeriosis have been reported in Ontario as part of an ongoing investigation that is linked to the recalled products, according to Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health.

There have been five hospitalizations associated with this outbreak investigation, he added.

“I strongly advise the public, especially those at high risk for listeriosis, such as the elderly, pregnant women and those with weak immune systems, to make sure they do not consume these recalled products,” he said in a release.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick, with symptoms that can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness, the CFIA added.

“Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk,” the warning reads. “Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die.”

Another recall involves child bike seats sold at Canadian Tire.

The Thule RideAlong Child Bike Seat (product name, model number, serial number and date code found on silver label on mounting bracket on bottom side of the seat) can contain the flame-retardant DecaBDE (Decabromodyphenyl ether), which may pose a chemical hazard. DecaBDE can be toxic if it’s ingested or if it comes into contact with skin or eyes, Health Canada said in its recall warning to shoppers.

The company reported 3,899 units of the affected products were sold in Canada and 683 were sold in the United States from March 2021 to February 2024.

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Thule RideAlong and contact Thule Group to arrange for the return of the harness padding and register for a replacement harness padding,” the warning states.

For more information, consumers can contact Thule Group by telephone at 1-888-816-0228, by email at thuleridealong.americas@thule.com or visit the company website.

Another recall involves toys sold at Toys R Us.

The company says liquid resins in certain MGA’s MINIVERSE Make It Mini sets can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation or sensitization when inhaled, touched, or ingested by children or adults.

“After the resins cure, they no longer present this hazard,” the Toys R Us warning states.

Products involved in this recall include unused units of MINIVERSE Make It Mini Sets with liquid resins include but are not limited to “Food,” “Appliance,” and “Lifestyle,” Toys R Us said, adding only products with resin are affected.

“Consumers should stop using the resin-containing sets immediately and contact MGA Entertainment for a replacement or refund,” the warnings states.

Contact MGA Entertainment toll-free at 1-800-222-4685.

Another recall involves all Ascent and Venturist Series 8-ounce blending containers, 20-ounce blending containers, and blade bases, including those that were repaired as part of a previous recall in August 2018.

The products were sold at Best Buy, the company confirmed on its Canadian website.

The clear containers and black blade bases are included with certain Vitamix Venturist and Ascent Model blenders, including the Venturist V1200, Ascent A2300, Ascent A2500, Ascent A3300, Ascent A3500 blenders and also sold separately, as sets, or bundles in various configurations, Health Canada said in its recall warning.

The company reported that approximately 121,947 units of the affected products were sold in Canada and approximately 569,000 units were sold in the U.S. from April 2017 to May 2024.

“The containers can separate from the blade base which can cause the blade to become exposed, posing a laceration hazard to consumers,” the recall warning states.

As of June 14, the company has received three reports of incidents involving injuries in Canada. In the U.S., the company has received 19 reports of incidents involving injuries.

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled products and contact Vita-Mix Corporation for a free repair kit consisting of a protective shroud to attach over the blade base and additional instructional labels,” Health Canada said in its warning.

For more information, consumers may contact Vita-Mix Corporation by telephone toll-free at 1-855-215-5178, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., by email at service@vitamix.com, or obtain information online at BlendingCupBowlRecall.expertinquiry.com or vitamix.com/us/en_us and click on Product Recalls at the top of the page for more information, Health Canada said.