Unsafe Food Donations

General Guidelines

 

When donating food to our organization, it's essential to follow safety guidelines to ensure the health and well-being of the individuals and families who will receive these items. Some food donations are not suitable due to concerns about food safety, contamination, or spoilage. Below, we've outlined different categories of food that we cannot accept, along with a brief explanation for each.

 

Leftover and Unsafe Prepared Foods

Prepared foods, particularly those that have been served or exposed to room temperature for extended periods, are at high risk of bacterial growth and foodborne illnesses. For this reason, the following items cannot be accepted:

• Leftover food that has been 'plated' and served (including buffet food)

• Prepared food or food mixtures left at room temperature for more than 2 hours

• Leftover food served to customers or clients

• Potentially hazardous foods not stored below 4°C (40°F) or above 60°C (140°F)

 

Expired or Opened Products

Food past its expiration date or with broken packaging poses a significant risk of contamination, spoilage, and bacterial growth. Items that fall into this category include:

• Expired products (unless evaluated for safety)

• Opened or broken sealed food

• Canned food more than two years past the best-before date

• Surplus or leftover food improperly stored

• Products with missing or open seals, or those repackaged in cardboard

 

Home-Made and Uninspected Items

While homemade products can be delicious, we cannot accept them due to the lack of safety controls that commercial facilities have. Additionally, any items that have not been inspected or properly labeled are unsafe. These include:

• Home-made preserves, baked goods, or canned products

• Unlabeled food products or items not in their original container

• Non-inspected meat, poultry, fish, or wild game

 

Unpasteurized and Unsafe Dairy or Egg Products

Unpasteurized dairy and egg products carry a higher risk of harmful bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella. We only accept pasteurized and graded items in these categories:

• Unpasteurized juices

• Ungraded eggs

• Unpasteurized dairy products

 

Damaged Goods

Damaged or compromised packaging can introduce contaminants and compromise food safety. We do not accept:

• Products in torn, leaking, or otherwise damaged packages

• Swollen, dented, or leaking cans

• Bottles with popped safety seals or jars with opened lids

• Products in packages that have rodent holes or droppings

• Any items showing unusual product separation, discoloration, or foreign objects

 

Recalled Products

To ensure public safety, we cannot accept any recalled products. Updated recall information can always be found at www.inspection.gc.ca.

 

General Food Safety Considerations

We are committed to ensuring the safety and quality of the food we distribute to those in need. Donating unsafe food can unintentionally harm individuals who rely on our services. By following these guidelines, we can work together to avoid potential health risks and provide nourishing, safe meals to our community. Thank you for your generosity and for helping us keep food safety a top priority.