Cream cheese recall expanded to include additional products

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
News Release

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OTTAWA, December 4, 2009 - The public warning issued on December 2, 2009 has been expanded to include additional products. These additional retail products were prepared using the original cream cheese recalled by Western Creamery, a division of Liberté Natural Foods.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Cream Cheese products described below because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following Cream Cheese products in variable weight packages, sold at deli counters or clerk-served between November 25 and December 4, 2009, are affected by this alert:

Canadian Cream Cheese Spread
Nacho Dip
Nachos with Dip
Nachos with Salsa Party Tray Certain of the following stores in Ontario:

Loblaw
Real Canadian Superstore
Your Independent Grocer
Fortinos
Zehrs

The CFIA is continuing its investigation to identify other retail locations where the affected Cream cheese may have been sold. Consumers are advised to contact the retailer if they are unsure whether the Cream Cheese product they have is affected.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The manufacturer and various retailers are voluntarily recalling the affected cream cheese products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the 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 Salmonella, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/salmonellae.shtml

For more information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA's Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp

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

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