OTTAWA, April 12, 2006 -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Niagara Gold and Comfort Cream Cheeses made by Upper Canada Cheese Company, Jordan Station, Ontario because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The following products are affected by this alert.
Product Name
Description
Lot Code (Production Date)
Niagara Gold
Washed Rind Cheese
Up to and Including December 14, 2005
Comfort Cream
White Bloomy Rind Cheese
Up to and Including January 6, 2006
These products are sold in variable weight packages and may also be offered for sale in smaller portions without a label. Consumers who may have purchased these types of cheeses and are not sure of the manufacturer or lot codes, should inquire at the place of purchase to verify if the store has received the affected product.
These products were sold in the Niagara Region and Greater Toronto Area in Ontario. There have been reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.
Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a food borne 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.
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 Salmonella, visit the Food Facts web page at
www.inspection.gc.ca./english/corpaffr/foodfacts/fftoce.shtml#tipcon.
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Media enquiries:
Davendra Sharma (English)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Office of Food Safety and Recall
(613) 755 - 2890
Linda Leblanc (French)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Office of Food Safety and Recall
(613) 760-4112
