Undeclared Mustard Triggers Recall of Turkey Gravy Brand in Canada

A turkey gravy brand sold in several Canadian provinces has been recalled because it contains undeclared mustard.

Kevin’s Natural Foods turkey gravy was distributed in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said in a recall notice on Oct. 9.

The recall was triggered by the company, CalChef Foods LLC, due to the presence of mustard in the gravy, which is not declared on the label.

The recall is limited to the 1.33 litre size of the gravy, with UPC 8 10264 02763 3. Affected best-before codes are BB: 2026 DE 07, BB: 2026 DE 12, and “where mustard is not declared on the label,” the CFIA said.

“Do not consume recalled products to which you are allergic or sensitive as they may cause a serious or life-threatening reaction,” the agency added, noting that there have been no reported reactions associated with the product.

The CFIA said it is verifying that the recalled products are being removed from the marketplace, and advised consumers to check whether they have them at home.

Consumers are also reminded not to serve, use, sell, or distribute the affected products, and to either dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase.

The recall is categorized as Class I, the highest risk of the three-tier classification system, which means consuming such products may lead to serious health problems or even death.

Health Canada recommends that people with mustard allergies avoid all food and products that contain mustard, canola meal, or other seeds that have similar proteins to those in mustard, as well as any items with precautionary labels warning that the product “may contain” mustard.

The health agency also considers mustard a priority food allergen. An allergic reaction to mustard can cause hives, chest pain, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and wheezing or trouble breathing, as well as swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, among many other symptoms.

In severe reactions, individuals can experience what is known as anaphylaxis, with symptoms such as breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure, and shock.