What You Need to Know
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a food recall warning for broccoli microgreens sold under the Les Fermes Lufa brand, citing the potential presence of pathogenic E. coli. The recall affects customers in both Quebec and Ontario who purchased the product through the company's online delivery service.
If you have these microgreens in your fridge, the CFIA advises you not to consume them. Throw them out or return them to the place of purchase.
Who Is Les Fermes Lufa?
Les Fermes Lufa — known in English as Lufa Farms — is a Montreal-based urban farming company that operates rooftop greenhouses across the city. They're well known in Quebec for delivering fresh, locally grown produce directly to customers' doors, and have expanded their service to parts of Ontario. The company has built a loyal following among health-conscious consumers who value locally grown food.
Microgreens, including broccoli varieties, are popular as nutrient-dense garnishes and salad ingredients — making this recall particularly concerning for households that may have recently used the product in raw applications like smoothies or salads.
The E. Coli Risk
Pathogenic E. coli — specifically strains like E. coli O157:H7 — can cause serious gastrointestinal illness. Symptoms typically include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Most healthy adults recover within a week, but young children, elderly individuals, and people with weakened immune systems can develop life-threatening complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.
Because microgreens are almost always consumed raw, there's no cooking step to kill potential pathogens — which is exactly why the CFIA is treating this with urgency.
What to Do If You Have This Product
The CFIA recommends the following steps:
- Do not eat the recalled broccoli microgreens, even if they look and smell fine
- Throw them out in a sealed bag, or return them to where you purchased them
- Wash and sanitize any surfaces, containers, or utensils the microgreens may have touched
- Watch for symptoms — if you've already eaten them and feel unwell, contact a healthcare provider
For Ontario shoppers, including those in the Ottawa region who may have ordered through Lufa Farms' delivery network, the advice is the same: check your refrigerator and discard any affected product immediately.
Stay Informed
Food recalls in Canada are managed by the CFIA and updated in real time on the Government of Canada website. It's always a good idea to sign up for CFIA recall alerts if you regularly buy fresh produce online — especially from delivery-first brands where traceability can sometimes lag behind traditional retail.
No illnesses have been publicly reported in connection with this recall at the time of writing, but the CFIA is continuing its food safety investigation.
Source: CBC News / Canadian Food Inspection Agency recall notice
