Garlic Powder Recalled Due to Bacteria Causing Nausea and Diarrhea

Check your cabinets! A garlic powder sold at discount stores in Canada has been recalled because of possible contamination with bacteria.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced on July 15 that the 70-gram product of the Heavenly Spices brand garlic powder has potentially been exposed to the bacteria Bacillus cereus.

The CFIA told consumers, “Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected product.”

Bacillus cereus is a type of bacteria that generally causes food poisoning. The Cleveland Clinic cites that it can infect you from “Improperly cooked or stored rice, meats, sauces and other foods.” The main symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, and an upset stomach. The Clinic shared that most cases heal on their own after one or two days.

In rare cases, there can be complications from the bacteria. Bacillus cereus can circulate throughout the body and spread to different organs. If left untreated, the bacteria can infect your eyes, lungs, skin, and central nervous system. 

The Heavenly Spices brand garlic powder was available at Dollarama stores across Canada. The affected products were sold both in store and online with the identification number of RA-82337.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency marked the recall as a Class 2, meaning the incident has caused a moderate risk. If the garlic powder is consumed, it will result in short-term or non-life-threatening health problems.

Customers who purchased the Heavenly Spices brand garlic powder can request a $2.00 e-gift card from Dollarama as a replacement, a spokesperson for the company told CTV News in a statement.