Canada Posts Results of Food Safety Surveillance Across Range of Commodities for Microbial, Chemical Contaminants
On September 8, 2026, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) published the results of several sampling and testing assignments for various microbiological and chemical contaminants in a range of food commodities. The vast majority of samples were deemed satisfactory across assignments.
CFIA conducted appropriate follow-up activities when testing revealed a potential health concern, and product recalls were issued when necessary.
Cyclospora, Giardia in Imported Leafy Greens
A targeted survey analyzed 1,984 samples of imported vegetables between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2025. The samples consisted of fresh-cut vegetable salads, and trimmed, single-cut or whole leafy vegetables. Of the 1,984 samples, 1,310 were tested for the presence of the parasites Cyclospora cayetanensis and Giardia, while 664 were tested for the presence of C. cayetanensis only and ten were tested for the presence of Giardia only.
Of the 1,984 samples tested, 99.6 percent of the samples were found to be satisfactory. C. cayetanensis was found in five of the 1,974 (0.3 percent) samples tested. Giardia spp. was found in three of the 1,320 (0.2 percent) samples tested.
STEC, Salmonella in Leafy Greens
A targeted survey analyzed 1,613 samples of imported (832) and domestic (781) fresh whole leafy vegetables between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2025. Samples were tested for the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7, non-O157 STEC, and Salmonella. All samples were also tested for generic E. coli, a hygiene indicator.
A large majority (99.7 percent) of the samples tested were found to be satisfactory. STEC O157:H7 and Salmonella were not detected in any of the 1,609 and the 1,451 samples, respectively. Non-O157 STEC was detected in three (0.2 percent) of the 1,609 samples. Elevated levels of generic E. coli were found in two (0.1 percent) of the 1,613 samples.
Dioxins in Select Foods
A targeted survey analyzed 183 food samples for dioxin and dioxin-like compounds and found them in 66 percent of samples tested. Samples were collected from retail stores between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2024. The highest proportion of samples with detected levels of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds was found in seeds and seed butters (73 percent), and the lowest proportion of samples with detected levels was in pine nuts (59 percent).
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Health Canada determined there were no health risks associated with any of the samples.
Listeria, Salmonella, S. aureus in RTE Sausages
A targeted survey analyzed 863 samples of refrigerated, prepackaged, ready-to-eat (RTE) meat sausages between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2024 for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. Samples were also tested for generic E. coli, a hygiene indicator.
Almost all (99.9 percent) of the 863 samples tested were found to be satisfactory. L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, and S. aureus were not found in any samples. Generic E. coli at elevated levels was found in one of the 863 samples (0.1 percent).
Salmonella in Imported Tahini
A targeted survey analyzed 908 samples of imported tahini (also known as sesame paste) between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2025 for the presence of Salmonella.
A majority (99.4 percent) of the samples tested were found to be satisfactory. Salmonella was detected in five out of 908 (0.6 percent) of the samples.
Large-Scale Survey of Bacteria, Viruses, Parasites in Various Foods
Between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2025, a total of 38,917 food samples were tested in a suite of ongoing targeted surveys to investigate the presence of bacterial pathogens and indicators, viruses, and parasites. Of the samples tested, 99.27 percent were satisfactory, 0.65 percent were investigative, and 0.08 percent were unsatisfactory.
Foods tested included raw dairy milk cheese, fresh and frozen produce, oysters, baby food, raw shelled nuts, kimchi, cream-filled pastries, and mushrooms. These foods were targeted due to their historic association with foodborne illness outbreaks and recalls in Canada.
Microorganisms for which the foods were analyzed included generic E. coli, E. coli O157, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, S. aureus, Cyclospora, hepatitis A virus, and norovirus, as well as aerobic colony count (ACC), a hygiene indicator.
Salmonella, S. aureus in Raw Fish Paste
A targeted survey analyzed 33 samples of refrigerated raw fish paste between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025 for the presence of Salmonella and S. aureus. All samples were also tested for ACC, a hygiene indicator.
All (100 percent) of the samples tested had satisfactory results for both Salmonella and S. aureus. However, ACC at elevated levels were found in 24 of the 33 samples (72.7 percent). The Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducted appropriate follow-up activities.
Salmonella in Imported Whole Poppy Seeds
A targeted survey analyzed 108 samples of imported whole poppy seeds between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2025 for the presence of Salmonella. All (100 percent) samples tested were found to be satisfactory. Salmonella was not found in any samples.
