OTTAWA, April 29, 2009 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Piller's taste Better than Bacon Maple Flavoured Smoked Ham and Lean'n' Tasty Smoked Ham Maple Flavour Bacon Style Slices described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The following meat products are affected by this alert.
The affected products may 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 these 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 manufacturer, Piller Sausages and Delicatessens Ltd., Waterloo, ON 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 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/concen/cause/listeriae.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 enquiries:
CFIA Media Relations
613-773-6600