Tampered potatoes could lead to food safety changes

Changes could be made to a national voluntary food safety program after six reported cases of tampered potatoes that originated at Linkletter Farms in Summerside, P.E.I.

The potatoes have been found by customers across Atlantic Canada. Linkletter Farms is certified by CanadaGAP, a voluntary food safety program for fruits and vegetables across the country.

Executive director Heather Gale told CBC News the current guidelines include cleaning procedures, employee training, record keeping, and a recall program. But it does not include issues of food tampering.

"I imagine it will come before our technical committee," said Gale.

"They meet on a regular basis. It's a group of food safety experts, industry experts, and that committee is specifically in place to look at new science, new research, and anything - new incidents - that would prompt a re-look at the program requirements."

Gale said Linkletter Farms has been certified for several years and has followed all of the necessary guidelines, and has acted appropriately in these recent tampering cases.