North America!  Drop the Slim Fast and move away from the scale!

Both Unilever United States Inc. and Unilever Canada Inc. are recalling several of their Slim-Fast ready-to-drink products distributed throughout North America.  

Unilever is working with both the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the Slim Fast recall because of possible Bacillus cereus contamination.

bacillus cereus-featured.jpgFDA says Bacillus cereus may cause diarrhea and possibly nausea and/or vomiting, but the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

Unilever Canada Inc. is warning the public not to consume Slim-Fast ready-to drink meal replacement shake products described below because  of the possible contamination with Bacillus cereus.

All lot codes and Best-By dates of the following Slim-Fast RTD (ready-to-drink) products are affected by this alert:

Slim-Fast Strawberry RTD Shake, both six packs and single 325 mL cans, UPC Numbers: 0 68400 20042 0 and 0 68400 20043 7.

Slim-Fast Chocolaty Royale RTD Shake, both six packs and single 325 mL cans, UPC Numbers: 0 68400 20110 6 and 0 68400 20220 2.

Slim-Fast French Vanilla RTD Shake, both six packs and single 325 mL cans, UPC Numbers 0 68400 20120 5 and 0 68400 20230 1.

Slim-Fast Cappuccino RTD Shake, both six packs and single 325 mL cans, UPC Numbers 0 68400 36400 9 and 0 68400 36251 7.

The products were distributed throughout Canada.

No illnesses have been associated with the consumption of Slim Fast in Canada.

Food contaminated with Bacillus cereus may not look or smell spoiled.

The symptoms of Bacillus cereus food poisoning can include vomiting or diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain and may occur between 30 minutes and 15 hours after consuming the contaminated product. Infants, children and pregnant women are susceptible to dehydration resulting from diarrhea.

Unilever Canada Inc. is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace.

The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation and monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry  in Canada can call one of the following numbers:

Unilever Consumer Services Center at 1-800-896-9479 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time);

CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 (TTY 1-800-465-7735) (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

In the United States, the products are packaged in paperboard cartons and contain four, six or 12 steel cans that are 11 FL OZ (325 mL) each. Individual cans are also sold in certain retail outlets. The recall involves all Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans, regardless of flavor, Best-By date, lot code or UPC number.

No other Slim-Fast® products are affected by this recall. No Slim-Fast® powdered shakes, meal bars, or snack bars are affected by this recall.

The recall was initiated after the company conducted quality testing on Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is recalling all RTD products in cans that are currently in distribution centers, on-shelf or in back rooms in retail outlets or in consumers’ homes. The company is in the process of identifying and correcting the production issue, and will resume production and shipment of the product when the issue has been addressed and corrected.

Consumers in the U.S. who have purchased Slim-Fast® RTD products in cans are urged to discard them immediately and contact the company at 1-800-896-9479 for a full refund. The Consumer Services Center is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET. A recorded message is available 24/7.