OTTAWA, December 20, 2008 - The public warning issued on December 10, 2008 has been expanded to include additional product information.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Cropwell Bishop Creamery Finest Blue Stilton Cheese described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
All sizes and all Best Before date codes of the Cropwell Bishop Creamery Finest Blue Stilton Cheese, product of England, are affected by this alert.
This product has been distributed nationally to retail stores including Costco Wholesale as well as to food service accounts such as hotels, restaurants, and other institutional cafeterias or kitchens. If the original product identity is not evident, consumers are advised to check with their retailer to determine if they have purchased the affected product.
There has been one confirmed listeriosis illness associated with the consumption of this product.
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 importers are 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 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 Listeria monocytogenes, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concern/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.
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Media Inquiries:
Shashi Kulkarni (English)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Office of Food Safety and Recall
613-368-1622
Linda LeBlanc (French)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Office of Food Safety and Recall
613-760-4112
