VCH advisory: Discard olive oil products from Farina a Legna

Vancouver Coastal Health is advising customers to avoid consuming bottled herb and chili infused olive oils purchased from Pizzeria Farina located at 915 Main Street, Vancouver and Farina a Legna located at 119 2nd Street East, North Vancouver.

Anyone who has already purchased these products is recommended to discard them or return them to either restaurant. Both products are no longer on sale at these locations.

During a public health inspection, it was identified that the restaurant’s bottled products ‘Pizza Farina Chili Infused Olive Oil’ and ‘Pizzeria Farina Oregano Infused Olive Oil’ were not manufactured using a validated method in line with food safety standards. Once advised of this, the retailer ceased production and sale of both products and has fully cooperated with Public Health. To date, VCH Public Health has not received any reports of illness associated with the consumption of either product.

The manufacturing of bottled and canned food products must be in line with food safety standards to eliminate harmful bacteria that can cause illness, including foodborne botulism due to Clostridium botulinum toxin.

Clostridium botulinum toxin in food and beverages can cause foodborne botulism, a rare but potentially serious illness that can cause disability and has a high fatality rate, particularly if early diagnosis and treatment are not provided. Food contaminated with this toxin may not look or smell unusual, but if ingested can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, and in some serious cases, respiratory failure or paralysis.

Symptoms of foodborne botulism usually begin 12 to 36 hours after consuming contaminated food. VCH Public Health appreciates the cooperation of the retailer and also consumers who may be impacted by this public safety advisory.