Injuries Prompt Canada-Wide Recall of Swiss Chalet Chicken Nuggets

The Swiss Chalet frozen chicken breast nuggets subject to the recall are sold in 700 gram packages, as pictured. Canadian Food Inspection Agency/Handout photo

Swiss Chalet frozen chicken breast nuggets are being recalled nationwide due to the potential presence of bone fragments in the product, federal health officials say.

The “extraneous material” recall was triggered by Olymel, the company that makes the chicken nuggets, after injuries associated with the consumption of the product were reported, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said in a Feb. 19 advisory.

No details have been provided about the number, types, or severity of injuries sustained.

An image of the product released by CFIA shows the chicken nuggets come in the shapes of stars, crescent moons, and planets.

The recalled product is sold in 700 gram packages with the Universal Product Code (UPC) 066701011479, and ‘best before’ date codes of BB 2025 SE 07 and BB 2025 SE 26.

A food safety investigation has been launched by CFIA which could lead to the recall of other products, the agency said.

“The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing recalled products from the marketplace,” the advisory says, adding that consumers should not “consume, use, sell, or serve” recalled products.

The recalled chicken nuggets should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased, the agency said.

Date Squares Recalled Due to Salmonella

CFIA is conducting another food safety investigation in relation to the recall of Palm Bites brand date squares due to Salmonella concerns.

Palm Bites brand date squares are being recalled due to Salmonella concerns. Handout photo

The recall by Palm Bites Canada was initiated after CFIA “inspection activities” linked the product to a previous recall of tahini products, the federal agency said in a Feb. 19 advisory.

No illnesses have been reported to the company so far in connection with the consumption of Palm Bites original or chocolate date squares.

The products were available for purchase online and were sold throughout Ontario with possible distribution in other provinces and territories, CFIA said.

The date squares come in bags of three without UPC numbers. Consumers can check for the production date stamped on both the plastic bags the plain and chocolate date squares are packaged in. Affected products will have a date from “24/OC/08 to 25/FE/14,” the advisory says.

CFIA is advising customers to either dispose of the squares or return them to the store where they were purchased.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may look and smell normal, but it can still cause illness, CFIA said.

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes salmonellosis, one of the most common forms of food poisoning. It can cause a wide array of symptoms including chills, diarrhea, fever, nausea, stomach cramps, sudden headache, and vomiting, according to the Health Canada website.

Although not everyone exposed to salmonella will exhibit symptoms, individuals who do are likely to experience side effects within a timeframe of six to 72 hours, the agency says.

Symptoms generally subside within four to seven days and rarely require medical treatment. In more serious cases, patients may need prescription drugs and intravenous fluids to aid in their recovery.