The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) told CBC News that between 2022 and 2024 it inspected several shipments of Driscoll’s berries coming from the United States and found chemical residues that exceeded Canadian limits. Montreal resident Thomas Vares said he will no longer buy any Driscoll’s products and urged the government to inform the public about the issue.

CFIA explained that because the tests did not show an immediate health risk, the inspections did not trigger a recall or any corrective action, and the agency’s policy is not to publish notices unless a safety concern requires it.

In January, the federal government announced plans to cut more than 500 CFIA jobs. The Agricultural Union reports that about 150 positions—mostly administrative support for inspectors—have already been eliminated, raising worries about the agency’s capacity.

At the same time, the CFIA said the government is reinvesting $30 million to create up to 250 new inspection and oversight roles that will focus on higher‑risk and emerging food‑safety issues.

The combination of undisclosed inspection results, staffing reductions and a limited public‑notice policy fuels consumer doubt. Vares said he feels the agency is not doing enough to protect Canadians and wants clear information so shoppers can decide what to eat.