Smarter Snacks Vegan Protein Puffs Recalled for Undeclared Milk: CFIA

Anyone with a milk allergy who has snacked on Smarter Snacks brand Vegan Protein Puff Chili & Lime Flavored should stop eating it immediately. The plant-based snack, marketed as vegan, has been pulled from shelves and online listings across Canada after testing and a consumer complaint revealed it actually contains milk that was never listed on the label. At least one reaction has already been reported to health authorities, underscoring how serious an undeclared allergen can be for someone who trusts a ‘vegan’ label to mean dairy-free.

The recall was announced on September 5, 2026, by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on behalf of the recalling firm, Empire Health Distribution Inc. Because the product was sold and marketed as vegan, consumers with milk allergies had little reason to suspect it could trigger a reaction, which is precisely why regulators have classified this as a Class 1 recall, the CFIA’s highest risk category, reserved for situations where consuming the product could cause serious health consequences.

Recalled Products at a Glance

A single product line is affected by this action, but consumers should check both the size and the specific codes carefully before deciding whether their package is included.

• Brand: Smarter Snacks
• Product: Vegan Protein Puff Chili & Lime Flavored
• Size: 50 g
• UPC: 8 684041 306837
• Codes: Best before 11/08/2026, Lot No. SS223; Best before 20/04/2027, Lot No. SS110

What Triggered the Recall

According to the CFIA, the issue is straightforward but potentially dangerous: the product contains milk, an allergen that is not declared anywhere on the packaging. The agency says the recall was triggered by a consumer complaint, and that one reported adverse reaction has since been linked to consumption of the puffs. For someone who is allergic or sensitive to milk proteins, exposure can range from mild discomfort to a severe, life-threatening reaction, which is why food safety officials treat undeclared allergens as an urgent public health matter rather than a simple labeling error.

Where Were These Products Sold?

Distribution for the affected Vegan Protein Puff Chili & Lime Flavored packages is listed as national, and the product was also sold online, meaning the recall potentially touches shoppers in every province and territory, not just a specific region or retail chain.

What Consumers Need to Do Now

Health officials are asking anyone who may have purchased this product to act right away rather than wait for a retailer notice.

• Check your pantry or freezer for the 50 g Smarter Snacks Vegan Protein Puff Chili & Lime package with UPC 8 684041 306837
• Confirm whether the best before date and lot number match SS223 or SS110
• Do not eat the product if you have a milk allergy or sensitivity, even if you have eaten it before without issue
• Throw the product away or return it to the store where it was purchased
• Do not serve, sell, or otherwise distribute the recalled item to others
• Seek medical attention if you have consumed the product and are experiencing an allergic reaction

From the Agency

The CFIA says it is conducting a food safety investigation into the matter, and that this work could still lead to the recall of additional products connected to the same distributor. In the meantime, the agency is verifying that Empire Health Distribution Inc. is actively removing the affected puffs from store shelves and online marketplaces. The recall carries the identification number RA-82604, and the CFIA’s own internal case number is 17531.

Consumers with questions can reach the CFIA’s public enquiries line at 1-613-773-2342 or by email at information@inspection.gc.ca. Members of the media can contact CFIA media relations at 613-773-6600 or cfia.media.acia@inspection.gc.ca. Canadians are also encouraged to sign up for recall notifications by email so they are alerted immediately the next time a product they may have purchased is affected.