Unilever has recalled an estimated 10 million cans of its Slim-Fast ready-to-drink products in North America. The company said all flavours of the canned slimming beverage could be tainted with the micro-organism Bacillus cereus, as it issued a nationwide voluntary recall across both the United States and Canada.

The products are packaged in paperboard cartons and  the affected products were also sold as individual cans at certain outlets.

Unilever said it was working with the US Food and Drug Administration, while the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it would be “conducting a food safety investigation and monitoring the effectiveness of the recall”.

A company spokeswoman told the Wall Street Journal there was no immediately available figure on the cost of the recall, how long it would take or how much in revenue the product contributes to Unilever's total sales.

Consumers have been advised to dispose of the product and contact the company for a refund although Unilver said it was not able to comment on whether affected customers would receive further compensation.

Source: FoodProduction.com