Warning: Cardinal frozen beef burgers may contain E. coli

CFIA News Release

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OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the frozen beef burgers described below because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.

The affected products described below are being voluntarily recalled as a result of the CFIA's continuing investigation associated with the public advisory issued on November 13, 2007, available at www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2007/20071113be.shtml.

The following products are affected by this alert:

Product UPC Codes

1054 Cardinal Roadhouse Beef Burgers
20 pcs 4oz 113 g (5 lb box) 63351 00126 Product code 1697

Compliments Beef Burgers Super 6
1.36 kg (8 x 6 oz) 55742 34129 BEST BEFORE
08JUN14
08JUN15

Compliments Traditional Beef Burgers
1.36 kg (12 x 4 oz) 55742 34128 BEST BEFORE
08JUN15

Compliments Three Cheese Beef Burgers
1.13 kg (8 x 5 oz) 55742 34131 BEST BEFORE
08JUN22

Compliments Peppercorn & Garlic Beef Burgers
1.13 kg (8 x 5oz) 55742 34132 BEST BEFORE
08JUN14

Compliments The Pulled Porkshire
4 Burgers 680 g 23682 10208 BEST BEFORE
08JUN15

Longo's Ultimate beef burgers
8-1/4 lb / 113 g Burgers 2 lb 907 g 72468 00241 Product code 1697

These products have been distributed nationally.

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

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:

Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd.
1-800-363-1439

For more information, consumers and industry can call 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 E. coli O157:H7, visit the Food Facts web page at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/ecolie.shtml

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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