CFIA expands Blue Stilton Cheese health hazard warning

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
News Release

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The public warning issued on May 19, 2011 has been expanded to include additional sizes and lot codes of the affected cheese.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and The Tree of Life Canada are warning the public not to consume the King James brand Blue Stilton Cheese, product of England, described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

All Lot Codes / Best Before dates of the following King James brand Blue Stilton Cheese, product of England, are affected by this alert:

King James Blue Stilton Cheese 2 kg All
King James Blue Stilton Cheese 4 kg All

However, the bulk cheese is mostly cut and sold at retail/deli counters in random weight packages. The brand name and lot code information of the original bulk cheese may not appear on the individual cut pieces of the cheese. Consumers are advised to contact the retailer to determine if they have the affected cheese.

These products have been distributed nationally.

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

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 importer, Tree of Life Canada, Surrey, BC is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call 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/cause/listeriae.shtml

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

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca. Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.

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