The following was transmitted by Blue Line Foodservice Distribution to the news media on March 24, 2010.
For Immediate Release - March 24, 2010
Contact: Pat McGuire
248-442-4502
Farmington Hills, MI - As a result of a recall of Black Pepper by Mincing Overseas Spice Company, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution of Farmington Hills, MI is voluntarily recalling Little Caesars Spice Paks.
The Spice Paks are small white packets, approximately 1.5" X 2.5" that contain black pepper and other spices. The Spice Paks may have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Before they were removed from the stores, they were available upon request to consumers at some Little Caesars stores in cities in Ontario only. They include: Woodstock, Chatham, Windsor, Kingston, Tilbury, St. Clair Beach, LaSalle, Barrie, Courtice, Mississauga, Whitby, Dundas, Stoney Creek, Essex, Leamington and Amherstburg. The Spice Paks are not used in making any Little Caesars food products.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
To-date, no illnesses associated with the Spice Paks have been brought to the company's attention. However, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution has voluntarily initiated this recall because of its commitment to the health and safety of consumers and its commitment to providing them with high quality products.
These Spice Paks were distributed between December 18, 2009 and March 15, 2010. Consumers who have the Spice Paks in their possession should not use them and should throw them away. The Spice Paks are no longer available.
No products other than the Spice Pak mentioned above are involved in the recall at the stores concerned.
For more information, consumers can call the company at 800.722.3727 from 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. ET Monday - Friday, and 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET Saturday.
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 Salmonella, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/salmonellae.shtml
For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA’s Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp.
To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and 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
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