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If you’ve recently stocked up on pantry essentials at Dollarama, it’s worth taking a few minutes to inspect your spice collection. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced a nationwide recall affecting a popular garlic powder product sold at Dollarama stores across Canada after it was found to be contaminated with Bacillus cereus, a bacterium capable of causing foodborne illness.
The recall has raised concerns among consumers because garlic powder is a common kitchen staple used in countless meals. While the health risk has been classified as moderate, officials are urging Canadians not to use the affected product under any circumstances.
Here’s everything you need to know about the recall, including which product is affected, the health risks associated with Bacillus cereus, what symptoms to watch for, and what you should do if you purchased the recalled garlic powder.
CFIA Issues Nationwide Recall for Garlic Powder Sold at Dollarama
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced the recall after identifying contamination involving Bacillus cereus in a specific garlic powder product sold through Dollarama stores across Canada.
The recall was initiated by Dollarama L.P., with the CFIA advising consumers to immediately stop using the product. In addition to avoiding consumption, Canadians are also instructed not to sell, distribute, or serve the recalled garlic powder.
Although there have been no widespread reports publicly linked to the recalled product at the time of the announcement, food safety officials often issue recalls as a precaution to reduce the risk of illness before additional cases occur.
Which Garlic Powder Has Been Recalled?
The recalled product is:
Heavenly Spices Garlic Powder
Product size: 70 grams
UPC: 6 67888 50634 7
Best Before Code: 2029 JAN 30 GP 30ZV PIT
Consumers should carefully compare the UPC and best-before information on any Heavenly Spices Garlic Powder purchased from Dollarama. Matching products should not be consumed, even if the packaging appears normal and the spice smells or looks unchanged.
Food contamination cannot always be detected through appearance, taste, or smell, making it important to follow recall notices even when a product seems safe.
Why the Garlic Powder Was Recalled
According to the CFIA, laboratory testing detected Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can contaminate food products and lead to food poisoning.
Unlike spoilage bacteria that often change the appearance or odor of food, Bacillus cereus contamination may not be noticeable to consumers. This makes laboratory testing and food recalls an essential part of Canada’s food safety system.
Garlic powder and other dried spices can occasionally become contaminated during harvesting, processing, packaging, or storage if proper food safety controls are not maintained.
What Is Bacillus Cereus?
Bacillus cereus is a naturally occurring bacterium found in soil and the environment. Certain strains are capable of producing toxins that can cause foodborne illness when contaminated food is consumed.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, different strains of the bacterium can produce different types of illness, with symptoms varying depending on the toxin involved.
Although many people recover quickly without medical treatment, infections can be unpleasant and, in some cases, become serious.
Symptoms of Bacillus Cereus Food Poisoning
Symptoms typically develop within hours after consuming contaminated food and generally last between six and 24 hours.
Common symptoms include:
Diarrhea
Abdominal cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
The severity of symptoms can vary depending on the amount of bacteria or toxins consumed and an individual’s overall health.
Most healthy adults recover within one or two days, but dehydration caused by vomiting or diarrhea may require medical attention.
Who Faces the Greatest Health Risks?
While many cases are mild, certain groups face a greater risk of developing complications.
These include:
Older adults
Young children
People with weakened immune systems
Individuals with lower stomach acidity
People with underlying medical conditions
According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, severe infections are uncommon but can occur, particularly among vulnerable individuals. In rare situations, complications can become life-threatening.
Anyone experiencing severe or persistent symptoms after consuming the recalled garlic powder should seek medical advice promptly.
Understanding the CFIA’s Class Two Recall
The recall has been classified as a Class II food recall.
A Class II recall means there is a moderate risk that consuming the affected product could result in temporary or non-life-threatening health effects.
Although the classification indicates the health risk is lower than the highest recall category, consumers should still treat the notice seriously and avoid consuming the product.
Food recalls are categorized according to the potential health impact, allowing consumers and retailers to understand the level of concern associated with the affected item.
What Should You Do if You Purchased the Recalled Garlic Powder?
Anyone who purchased the recalled Heavenly Spices Garlic Powder should stop using it immediately.
Consumers have several options:
Dispose of the product safely.
Return it to the Dollarama location where it was purchased if returns are being accepted.
Keep it away from children and pets until it can be properly discarded or returned.
If you believe you became ill after consuming the recalled garlic powder, seek medical attention if symptoms become severe or persistent.
Consumers can also report food safety concerns or illnesses through the Government of Canada’s food safety reporting system.
Why Spice Recalls Matter
Spices are often stored in kitchens for months or even years, meaning recalled products may remain in households long after the original purchase.
Because garlic powder is commonly added to soups, marinades, meat dishes, sauces, vegetables, and snacks, contaminated spices have the potential to affect numerous meals before consumers become aware of a recall.
Unlike fresh foods that are used quickly, dried seasonings are frequently overlooked during pantry inspections, making public recall notices especially important.
Another Recent CFIA Recall Involves Salem Foods Spices
The garlic powder recall is not the only recent spice-related food safety alert issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The CFIA has also recalled several ground spices and spice blends sold under the Salem Foods brand because they may contain undeclared allergens.
According to the agency, the affected products could contain:
Wheat
Sesame
Mustard
These allergens were not declared on the product labels, creating a potential health risk for individuals with allergies or sensitivities.
Undeclared allergens are among the most common reasons food products are recalled in Canada because even small amounts can trigger serious allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
How Food Recalls Help Protect Canadians
Food recalls play a critical role in Canada’s food safety system by removing potentially hazardous products from stores and alerting consumers before illnesses become widespread.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency regularly works with manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to investigate food safety concerns and coordinate recalls when contamination or labeling issues are identified.
Consumers are encouraged to monitor food recall announcements regularly, particularly for products that remain in household pantries for extended periods.
Checking recall notices can help prevent foodborne illness and ensure that potentially unsafe products are removed from homes as quickly as possible.
Final Thoughts
The nationwide recall of Heavenly Spices Garlic Powder sold at Dollarama serves as an important reminder that even everyday pantry staples can occasionally pose food safety risks.
Anyone who purchased the recalled 70-gram garlic powder with UPC 6 67888 50634 7 and best-before code 2029 JAN 30 GP 30ZV PIT should stop using the product immediately and either dispose of it safely or return it according to retailer guidance.