Ottawa, ONThe Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Heinz Canada are warning consumers that Heinz Mixed Cereal for babies should not be consumed. According to a story that appeared this morning in the Canadian Press (CP), the product may contain elevated levels of Ochratoxin A and is being recalled.
Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin that is produced by some fungi and grows in food crops such as grains, grapes and coffee beans. It is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a possible human carcinogen.
The product at issue is Heinz Mixed Cereal, a Baby Cereal, Stage 2, From 6 Months in the 227 gram package. The affected product has best before date codes of BB/MA 10 DE 26 and BB/MA 10 DE 29.
The product has been distributed nationally in Canada, but there have been no reported illnesses. It is not known if the product was distributed in the US.
CFIA says the cereal shouldn't be eaten—but if it has, there should be no need for other actions since even the highest levels of ochratoxin A found in these products are not high enough to pose a health risk when consumed as part of a normal diet over the short term.
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