Is our food supply safe? Breaking down our country’s latest recalls.

Unwrapped field cucumbers. CFIA

By Analysis by The Big Story podcast

Posted December 3, 2024 6:20 am.

A recent string of food recalls from cucumbers to almond milk have a lot of Canadians wondering: are the products we buy at the grocery store as safe as they used to be? 

 Since 2023, 12 Canadians have died from either listeria or salmonella in outbreaks linked to contaminated food. 

 These deaths are a tragic reminder that food safety can’t be taken for granted. 

 Is Canada’s food inspection system up to the task?

 Host David Smith speaks with Dr. Keith Warrnier is a food safety expert, professor in the Department of Food Sciences at the University of Guelph, and a past president of the Ontario Food Protection Association.

You can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify. You can also find it at thebigstorypodcast.ca.
Submit a Correction
Accessibility Feedback

Top Stories

Full day of strikes at 16 public daycares in Quebec
Full day of strikes at 16 public daycares in Quebec

Workers at 16 public daycares (CPEs) in Quebec walked off the job Wednesday for the full day, joining the strike movement in daycare services, which until now has been limited to strikes lasting a few...

2h ago

2 Quebec suspects are Canada's most-wanted fugitives
2 Quebec suspects are Canada's most-wanted fugitives

Quebec's Dave Turmel and All Boivin are Canada's most-wanted suspects. The Bolo Program updated its list of the country's top 25 fugitives on Wednesday, with investigators offering financial rewards...

8m ago

Quebec bill to force new doctors to work in public system for 5 years – or risk huge fines
Quebec bill to force new doctors to work in public system for 5 years – or risk huge fines

New doctors trained in Quebec universities will have to spend the first five years of their practice in the public network. Those who want to go to practice in the private sector, in another province...

20h ago

'Left to die': Quebec woman that survived attempted femicide writes fictional novel drawing inspiration from her story
'Left to die': Quebec woman that survived attempted femicide writes fictional novel drawing inspiration from her story

After Quebec woman Geneviève Rioux survived an attempted femicide in 2018, writing became her outlet as a way to heal. She recently published a fictional novel Même pas morte, which translates to...

1h ago

Top Stories

Full day of strikes at 16 public daycares in Quebec
Full day of strikes at 16 public daycares in Quebec

Workers at 16 public daycares (CPEs) in Quebec walked off the job Wednesday for the full day, joining the strike movement in daycare services, which until now has been limited to strikes lasting a few...

2h ago

2 Quebec suspects are Canada's most-wanted fugitives
2 Quebec suspects are Canada's most-wanted fugitives

Quebec's Dave Turmel and All Boivin are Canada's most-wanted suspects. The Bolo Program updated its list of the country's top 25 fugitives on Wednesday, with investigators offering financial rewards...

8m ago

Quebec bill to force new doctors to work in public system for 5 years – or risk huge fines
Quebec bill to force new doctors to work in public system for 5 years – or risk huge fines

New doctors trained in Quebec universities will have to spend the first five years of their practice in the public network. Those who want to go to practice in the private sector, in another province...

20h ago

'Left to die': Quebec woman that survived attempted femicide writes fictional novel drawing inspiration from her story
'Left to die': Quebec woman that survived attempted femicide writes fictional novel drawing inspiration from her story

After Quebec woman Geneviève Rioux survived an attempted femicide in 2018, writing became her outlet as a way to heal. She recently published a fictional novel Même pas morte, which translates to...

1h ago

Most Watched Today

2:40
Woman to play role of gunman for Polytechnique monologue this year
Woman to play role of gunman for Polytechnique monologue this year

"It’s hitting me on an emotional level," says playwright for The Anorak monologue, Adam Kelly, as he describes why he chose to cast a woman for the role of Polytechnique gunman for the 35th anniversary of the shooting. Corinne Boyer reports.

14h ago

2:41
Montrealers donate thousands of winter coats to those in need
Montrealers donate thousands of winter coats to those in need

“It’s time to give,” says Marie-Claude Masson from the Renaissance non-profit, whose team donated thousands of winter coats on Giving Tuesday from the Wall of Kindness initiative to those in need. Pamela Pagano reports.

19h ago

2:05
Polytechnique victims honoured by student photography exhibit
Polytechnique victims honoured by student photography exhibit

“We all have to remember those ladies,” said Qéna Cantuel, Polytechnique student and model for the photography exhibit in Montreal that honours the 14 women killed while they were attending class 35 years ago. Erin Seize reports.

20h ago

3:06
Montreal-born artist Forest Blakk opens up about difficult past
Montreal-born artist Forest Blakk opens up about difficult past

“I was homeless,” said singer songwriter Forest Blakk, as his tour made a stop in his hometown of Montreal. He opened up about some of his most difficult moments and how they shaped him and his career. Adriana Gentile reports.

19h ago

2:52
Quebec's Statistical Institute shows a rise in teen mental health issues
Quebec's Statistical Institute shows a rise in teen mental health issues

"It's definitely something that we’re seeing more regularly," says Jonathan Keane, a visual arts teacher at Beaconsfield high school, as he explaining that he’s seen an increase in anxiety and depression among his students. Corinne Boyer reports.

22h ago

More Videos