CFIA Officials expand meat recall

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
News Release

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OTTAWA - The public warning issued on August 19, 2008 has been expanded to include additional products. For the complete list of recalled products, visit http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2008/list97be.shtml .

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods are warning the public not to serve or consume meat products from Establishment 97B because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Maple Leaf Consumer Foods Inc., is voluntarily recalling all products manufactured at its 150 Bartor Road facility located in Toronto, Ontario.

The affected products can be identified by the Establishment number that appears on the packages. The products made at this facility bear Establishment number (Est) 97B. The establishment number is located near the Best Before or Packed On dates. We will be updating product description information as it becomes available.
These products have been distributed nationally to retail stores and food service institutions such as restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutional cafeterias or kitchens. These products may also be sold at deli counters. If the original product identity and Best Before code is not evident, consumers are advised to check with their retailer to determine if the product is included in the list of recalled products.

Laboratory results have established a link between recalled meat products and an outbreak strain of listeriosis currently confirmed in four provinces. While these results are highly significant, the investigation is not complete. Nevertheless, the manufacturer, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, has initiated a voluntary recall of all products made at Establishment 97B. The CFIA continues to work with the Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial public authorities to investigate the possible sources of the outbreak.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, however, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:

Maple Leaf Consumer Foods at 1-800-568-5801;
CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).
For information on Listeria monocytogenes, visit the Food Facts web page at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/causee.shtml.

For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2008/list97be.shtml

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