OTTAWA, August 25, 2009 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Delstar Foods Inc. are warning the public not to consume the ready-to-eat deli meats described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The following ready-to-eat deli meats bearing Establishment number 308 are affected by this alert.
These products have been distributed in Québec.
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.
Delstar Foods Inc. of Montréal, Québec 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 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/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.
-30-
Media Inquiries:
CFIA Media Relations
613-773-6600
