The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently published the findings from several food sampling and testing assignments for microbiological and chemical contaminants across a range of food categories, including infant formula and foods for babies and young children. In general, the results were satisfactory.

A full list of CFIA food safety testing reports can be found here.

National Microbiological Monitoring Program Annual Report 2024–2025

The National Microbiological Monitoring Program (NMMP) is a food surveillance program managed by the CFIA to support verification of industry compliance with food safety standards and provide insight into the effectiveness of control measures and interventions.

In the 2024–2025 sampling year, 12,641 tests were performed on 5,305 domestic and imported food products. Sampled food types included red meat and poultry products, egg products, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, processed fruit and vegetable products, and fish and seafood products. Known food-hazard combinations, i.e., specific microorganisms in specific foods that are recognized to occur and whose presence indicates a food safety concern, and historical levels of compliance were taken into consideration when selecting foods for testing under NMMP monitoring sampling plans.

Overall, a 98.9 percent satisfactory rate was observed.

An additional 1,735 tests were performed on 1,496 environmental samples, which were assessed as 97.8 percent satisfactory.

Metals and Pesticides in Children’s Foods in 2022

The Children’s Food Project (CFP) is CFIA’s monitoring program for chemical residues and contaminants in manufactured foods frequently consumed by and targeted to infants and children.

In the 2022 Children's Food Project, a total of 108 samples of infant/children's snacks and cereals were analyzed for toxic metals/elements aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, as well as pesticide residues. Of these samples, 30 percent tested positive for pesticides, although at levels below Canadian maximum levels (MLs). All samples tested positive for detectable levels of aluminum and 96 percent (104) contained detectable levels of the other metals/elements of concern. At the time of the survey, there were no applicable MLs for metals/elements set by Health Canada.

Additionally, 93 yogurt/yogurt beverage and dairy-based infant formula samples were tested for aflatoxin M1 and veterinary drug residues. Of these samples, three tested positive for veterinary drug residues and one tested positive for aflatoxin M1. All of the residues detected were assessed as non-violative.

Cronobacter, Salmonella in Powdered Infant Formula

A targeted survey spanning six years (2018–2024) analyzed 898 samples of powdered infant formula for the presence of Cronobacter. Of the 898 samples, 479 were also tested for Salmonella. All 898 samples were also tested for Enterobacteriaceae, which is used as an indicator of the hygienic and sanitary conditions of the food supply chain from production to the point of sale.

The results for 99.7 percent of the samples were found to be satisfactory. However, Cronobacter was detected in one sample and Enterobacteriaceae was detected in two samples.

Where necessary, CFIA conducted appropriate follow-up activities and food recalls were issued by industry. There were no reported illnesses related to unsatisfactory products identified in this assignment.

Toxic Metals in Bottled Water and Targeted Foods

In 2023–2024, CFIA conducted a survey to generate baseline surveillance data on the level of metals in foods not routinely monitored under other CFIA programs.

Specifically, the agency tested 957 samples of cassava products, salt, balsamic vinegar, and plain bottled water for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.

None of the bottled water samples tested contained toxic metals.

Most (69 percent) of the other samples showed some levels of at least one toxic metal, but none of the samples contained traces of all four toxic metals. Mercury and lead had the lowest and the highest detection rate, respectively.

Notably, 99.5 percent of cassava products and 97 percent of balsamic vinegars contained traces of at least one toxic metal. At least one toxic metal was detected in 76 percent of salt samples.  

After further analysis, Health Canada determined that none of the positive samples posed a risk to human health. The detection rates and the levels of metals reported in this targeted survey were comparable to the levels previously found in similar product types and reported in scientific literature.