Why a Turkey Gravy Recall Matters to Anyone Allergic to Mustard

On the day after Thanksgiving, a great many Canadian fridges hold the same three things: a plate of turkey, a tub of stuffing, and whatever is left of the gravy. For most people, that last container is the least interesting thing in the house. This week, a turkey gravy recall in Western Canada makes it worth a second look in any home where someone is allergic to mustard.

The bottom line

Kevin's Natural Foods turkey gravy has been recalled because it contains mustard that is not listed on its label. Stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba sold it, and no one had reported a reaction when the recall went out. If no one in your home is allergic or sensitive to mustard, the gravy poses no particular risk to you. Anyone who is allergic or sensitive to mustard should not eat it.

Key takeaways

Kevin's Natural Foods turkey gravy has been recalled because it contains mustard that the label does not declare.

The product was sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

The company triggered the recall, and no one had reported a reaction when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced it.

Mustard is one of Canada's priority food allergens, a group Food Allergy Canada links to 90 percent of allergic reactions in Canada.

Health Canada advises eating refrigerated leftovers within two to three days and bringing gravy to a full rolling boil when you reheat it.

What do we know about Kevin's Natural Foods gravy?

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Kevin's Natural Foods turkey gravy contains mustard that does not appear anywhere on its label, as The Canadian Press reported on October 11. The product was sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The company itself triggered the recall, and when the agency announced it, nobody had reported a reaction linked to the gravy.

The CFIA says that anyone who is allergic or sensitive to mustard should not eat the gravy, and the agency is checking that stores have pulled it from their shelves. Its standard advice for any recalled food is that nobody should serve, use, sell, or distribute it. The official recall notice lists the package size and product codes, so it is worth holding the container in your fridge up against it.

Why does undeclared mustard count as a serious risk?

Consider who actually reads an ingredient list closely. For most of us, it is a quick glance at the grocery store, yet for a person with a food allergy it is a safety check they perform every single time they buy food. A label that leaves out an ingredient defeats that check completely. With undeclared mustard, the person most at risk is the one who did everything right.

Undeclared allergens are among the most common reasons for food recalls in Canada, and most of these recalls never make the front page because nobody gets hurt. A recall that the company triggers itself, before anyone reports a reaction, is the system working the way it is meant to work.

Why is mustard one of Canada's priority food allergens?

Health Canada keeps a short list of priority food allergens, the foods that a prepackaged product must always declare on its label. The list covers peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans and molluscs, soy, wheat and triticale, and mustard, with sulphites and gluten sources declared alongside them. According to Food Allergy Canada's guide to the priority allergens, these foods account for 90 percent of allergic reactions in Canada.

Every food on this list must appear on a Canadian label when it is in the product. Mustard is the one missing from the recalled gravy.

Health Canada added mustard to that list in 2009, after a scientific review of the evidence on how often it causes reactions and how severe they can be. Its plain-language page on mustard as a priority allergen explains where mustard tends to turn up, from sauces and dressings to spice blends. Canada is unusual here, because mustard does not appear on the list of major food allergens in the United States. That difference matters for families who buy food made or labelled south of the border.

What does a mustard allergy reaction look like?

A mustard allergy reaction can range from hives, itching, and swelling to vomiting, trouble breathing, and, at the severe end, anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a whole-body allergic reaction that can become life-threatening within minutes. Reactions usually begin soon after eating, so anyone with this allergy who ate the gravy and now feels unwell should get medical attention.

Throat tightness, trouble breathing, or feeling faint are signs of a serious reaction, and they should call 911 right away. People who carry an epinephrine auto-injector should use it as their care plan directs. Reactions can move that fast, which is why schools keeping their own supply has become a policy debate, as our report on why stock epinephrine in schools is law in only one province explains.

What should you do if the recalled gravy is in your fridge?

For most households, the turkey gravy recall changes nothing at all. If no one at your table has a mustard allergy or sensitivity, this gravy poses no particular risk, and the CFIA has identified no other safety issue with it. If someone does, the steps below take about five minutes.

Check your fridge and pantry. Look for Kevin's Natural Foods turkey gravy, including any opened containers from the weekend.

Match it against the notice. Compare the size and codes on your package with the CFIA's recall notice before you decide anything.

Throw it out or return it. The recalled gravy should go in the garbage or back to the store where you bought it, which can usually offer a refund.

Tell the people you fed. Anyone who went home with a container of leftovers deserves a quick message, especially a guest you know has a mustard allergy.

Watch for symptoms. If someone with the allergy already ate it and feels unwell, they should get medical attention, and serious symptoms mean calling 911.

How long are Thanksgiving leftovers safe to eat?

A recall is a good reason to look at the rest of the fridge with fresh eyes. Health Canada's food safety tips for leftovers say to refrigerate cooked food within two hours and to eat it within two to three days, or freeze it for later. That window is shorter than many people assume, so by the middle of the week, most Thanksgiving leftovers belong on a plate, in the freezer, or in the garbage.

Four checkpoints from Health Canada, from the moment dinner ends to the last reheat.

When you reheat, bring gravy, soups, and sauces to a full rolling boil. Heat everything else to 74°C inside, and use a digital food thermometer to check. Reheat only what you plan to eat, since Health Canada advises throwing out leftovers that were reheated and not finished. Safe holiday cooking starts long before the leftovers, too, with questions like whether you should wash raw chicken before you cook it.

What happens next with a food recall in Canada?

After a food recall in Canada, the CFIA checks that the company has pulled the product from stores. If its investigation turns up other affected products, the agency can recall those too. Recalls happen all year, from questions about the Driscoll's berries in your fridge to the salmonella warnings that followed a jalapeño recall. If allergies are part of your household's life, the simplest protection is to sign up for the CFIA's free food recall emails, which can be limited to the specific allergens you need to watch.

Frequently asked questions

Which turkey gravy has been recalled in Canada?

The turkey gravy recall covers Kevin's Natural Foods turkey gravy sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, because it contains mustard that is missing from the label. The company triggered the recall, and no one had reported a reaction when the CFIA announced it. Check the CFIA's notice for the exact size and codes before you decide what to do.

Is the recalled gravy safe if no one has a mustard allergy?

The company recalled the gravy only because mustard is missing from its label, and the CFIA has identified no other safety problem. For people without a mustard allergy or sensitivity, it poses no particular risk. Many families still choose to return or throw it out, especially if they share leftovers with guests whose allergies they do not know.

What should I do if someone already ate the gravy?

If the person has no mustard allergy or sensitivity, there is usually nothing to do. If they do have one and feel unwell, they should get medical attention. Throat tightness, trouble breathing, swelling of the face or lips, or feeling faint are signs of a serious reaction, so call 911 right away.

How do I get food recall alerts in Canada?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency offers free email notifications for food recalls, and you can choose to receive only the alerts for the priority allergens that matter to your household. The Government of Canada also posts every recall on its Recalls and Safety Alerts website, where you can search by product, brand, or allergen.

Your next step

If reactions to food have ever left you guessing about what you or your child can safely eat, an allergy assessment can replace the guessing with answers. The Medimap Health Hub has more on keeping food safe at home. The first step toward an allergist is usually a referral, and Medimap can help you find a walk-in clinic near you to start one.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. It does not replace a conversation with a doctor or other qualified health professional who knows your history. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.