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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released an urgent notice for the recall of McCain Fries by Macmillan’s Specialty Foods, while also recognizing that the issue arises from undeclared wheat allergen in the fries. This is a serious matter for consumers with wheat allergies or wheat sensitivities, as the undeclared allergen can cause a serious health reaction from consuming the recalled, affected product. The recall serves as a reminder of the seriousness of allergen labeling of food products as it relates to people with dietary restriction or sensitivities. Consider, for example, consumers with well-documented wheat allergies. For these consumers, eating the fries will result in an allergic reaction that can be severe such as anaphylaxis that if left untreated could be a life-threatening event. The recall puts both a consumer's and a manufacturer’s responsibility on full display when it relates to food safety and allergen labelling of food products. [1]

Macmillan’s Specialty Foods Brand McCain Fries Recalled Due to Undeclared Wheat Allergen

Recall August 26, 2025

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released an urgent notice for the recall of McCain Fries by Macmillan’s Specialty Foods, while also recognizing that the issue arises from undeclared wheat allergen in the fries. This is a serious matter for consumers with wheat allergies or wheat sensitivities, as the undeclared allergen can cause a serious health reaction from consuming the recalled, affected product. The recall serves as a reminder of the seriousness of allergen labeling of food products as it relates to people with dietary restriction or sensitivities.  Consider, for example, consumers with well-documented wheat allergies. For these consumers, eating the fries will result in an allergic reaction that can be severe such as anaphylaxis that if left untreated could be a life-threatening event. The recall puts both a consumer’s and a manufacturer’s responsibility on full display when it relates to food safety and allergen labelling of food products. [1]

Product Information:

  • Product Name: McCain Fries
  • Brand: Macmillan’s Specialty Foods
  • Pack Size: Various sizes available
  • Issue: Undeclared wheat allergen
  • Risk: Potential allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to wheat

The McCain Fries that are part of this recall typically come in frozen packaging, and are available in several different sizes. Consumers may have purchased this product in grocery stores, or through online ordering.

Flavors:

The product that is involved includes different styles of fries, which may include plain fries, crinkle-cut fries and other forms of frozen potato products sold by McCain.

Description of contamination:

The potential for contamination with wheat was detected through routine quality assurance verification process at the production facility. While wheat was not deliberately introduced into the product, it was included, thus introducing an undeclared allergen in the packaging.

Due to the wheat being included in the product, and not being listed in the ingredients label, consumers with wheat allergies experienced a serious health risk. Additionally, the incident prompted us to take extra caution during all production and packaging steps, especially when handling allergens.

Health issue:

Woodland Biologicals, 100% whole plant-based restaurant purchased McCain fries, made with wheat, for not allergy aware customers to enjoy and try out whole plant food options. When the user eats the fries, the brand label does not declare wheat as an allergen. Any undeclared allergen, like wheat, can pose health risks, especially if the individual is sensitive to the allergen or allergic. In the case of wheat, if an individual has a wheat allergy, they have the possibility of having a continuum of reactions which can range from mild to severe.

The following is a list of symptoms associated with wheat food allergy consumption:

Dermal Issues:

  Hives, rash or itchiness people may experience after eating the fries.

Gastrointestinal Distress:

  Abdominal pains, nausea and or vomiting or diarrhea symptoms may occur after eating the fries.

Respiratory Responses: 

Shortness of breath, wheezing and or cough after eating the fries.

Extreme Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis):

  Can have an acute life-threatening reaction, whereby the throat may swell up and restrict your airway, low blood pressure and loss of consciousness. Someone experiencing an acute life-threatening allergic reaction may require Emergency Medical Services.

To some population, like pregnant women, young children, and older adults, their overall health and well-being may lead to more severe consequences. In an event of someone eating the fries with a wheat allergy not knowing it and the symptoms are not treated would lead to more serious health consequences, than most likely complications would occur which were previously mentioned like anaphylactic shock to loss of life. [2]

McCain Fries Recall blog

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Recall Recommendations:

If you purchased McCain Fries from Macmillan’s Specialty Foods, you were provided recommendations:

Never Consume the Product: 

Do not consume the fries, even if the unpackaged did not appear damaged when opened.

Returning the Product

All of the affected McCain Fries can be taken back to the retailer from which it was purchased for a full refund. Retailers have been notified of the recall, and they will assist customers in returning the product.

Seek Medical Attention

If you have eaten the fries and experience any symptoms, such as skin reactions, gastrointestinal issues (i.e., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), or breathing issues, please seek medical help immediately. Be certain to mention or indicate multi-grain (wheat) exposure etc. to your healthcare providers

Regulatory Responsibilities

The CFIA is responsible for ensuring that food manufacturers follow the food safety regulations for food manufacturing and allergen labeling requirements. This example of the recall of McCain Fries clearly demonstrates the importance for manufacturers to comply with these regulations in order to protect consumers, and take extra precautions for those with food allergies. The CFIA is working closely with Macmillan’s Specialty Foods to ensure they have excised all of the affected products from the marketplace.

Manufacturer Obligations

Macmillan’s Specialty Foods willingly took all directions for the recall and complied fully with the recall process. Macmillan’s is now reviewing all of its process controls and quality assurance program for production to ensure issues such as this do not happen again. Macmillan’s is also intending to enhance its allergen detection and testing protocols and will safeguard against cross-contamination and ensure proper declaration of all ingredients.

What You Should Do as a Consumer:

Step

Advisory

Details / Action

1

Identify If Products are Affected

Check the CFIA website or product recall notifications to see if your product has been affected.

2

Do Not Consume the Product

Do not consume the affected product, even if it looks fine or unopened.

3

Report the Product for Refund

Report the affected product to the retailer in order to receive a full refund.

4

Seek Medical Attention

If you have eaten the product developing symptoms, seek medical attention and let the doctor know of possible wheat exposure.

Conclusion:

The recall of McCain Fries by Macmillan’s Specialty Foods for undeclared wheat allergen highlights the serious nature of accurate food labelling. Consumers who are allergic to wheat need to be exceptionally diligent when selecting food products and when they have dietary restrictions. Macmillan’s Specialty Foods is working with CFIA to ensure all affected products are removed from the market and corrective actions are taken.

If you have any questions or need assistance with compliance or food safety issues, please reach out to Food Research Lab for professional support.

What to do if you are the consumer:

Step

Action

Details / Action

1

Identification of Affected Products

Identification of impacted batch codes and recall notifications.

2

Do NOT consume the product

Do NOT eat the product even if unopened.

3

Return for Refund

Take affected product back to store to receive a refund.

4

Get Medical Attention

If you develop symptoms, seek immediate medical attention and notify your medical provider that you have possibly been exposed to Salmonella.

Conclusion:

Strength, weight gain, millilitres is the peanut butter recall from Albanese Confectionery Group Inc., due to potential Salmonella contamination. This recall reminds food processors to have sufficient food safety programs in place and to follow FDA regulation. However, in this case, the Albanese peanut butter recall was executed promptly and with the assistance of FDA, as it was designed to minimize any known consumer exposure. This additional recall is just another reminder to the processors of the importance of proper testing and labelling and consumer protection/safety.

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