Reports of tampered infant formula at Edmonton Walmart, no illnesses: CFIA

An update on a story CityNews first brought you on Wednesday about a mother’s concerns about a baby formula she bought at an Edmonton Walmart. As Sarolta Saskiw reports, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the formula may have potentially been tampered with, and now police are investigating.

EDMONTON – The federal food safety watchdog is advising consumers to use caution with infant formula products due to potential product substitution or tampering following reports from a Walmart store in southeast Edmonton.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says the reports say products have been found where the tamper-proof seals had been broken and the product inside the containers had been substituted.

It says no illnesses associated with the products, which have not been identified, have been reported.

The Edmonton Police Service issued a statement on Thursday which said Walmart contacted EPS regarding two incidents.

One of them in Tamarack and the second on Calgary Trail.

The statement goes on to say, “Although the investigation is still preliminary at this time, Southeast Division officers are investigating these incidents as frauds, as opposed to having any malicious intent.”

WATCH: Edmonton mother reacts to possible tampering case

One Edmonton mother is speaking out after a container of formula she purchased turned out to be flour.

“Terrifying,” said Emily Myrehaug. “I was just so shook up by it. What if I had given it to him (baby), I would have never forgiven myself if he got sick or worse.”

Walmart Canada and Abbott, the makers of Similac baby formula said they’re aware of the incident and are investigating.

Myrehaug hopes the same thing won’t happen to another family.

“I’m definitely not blaming anybody. I definitely want to bring awareness to other parents. Just be mindful and to always check, always look.”

The CFIA says consumers who use infant formulas should check the packaging material to ensure that the security seal is intact or if the product has been switched with something else.

It says if the product appears to have been altered it should not be used and people should call them or local police.

The agency says finding broken seals isn’t typically associated with the manufacturing process but can happen when a consumer returns altered products to the retail store for a refund.

 

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today