Articles in this document:

· 20081026 - HEALTH HAZARD ALERT (Listeri a) / DANGER POUR LA SANTÉ (Listeria)

· Listeria fear prompts food recalls in Ontario, Maritimes

20081026 - HEALTH HAZARD ALERT (Listeri a) / DANGER POUR LA SANTÉ (Listeria)

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Office of Food Safety and Recall

October 26, 2008

UPDATED HEALTH HAZARD ALERT - DELI ROAST BEEF AND SANDWICHES SOLD AT CERTAIN STORES IN ATLANTIC CANADA MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

OTTAWA, October 26, 2008 - The public warning issued on October 24, 2008 has been updated to include additional Date Details.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume ready-to-eat roast beef and sandwiches sold at certain stores in Atlantic Canada because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

This is a follow up recall resulting from the original recall incident of roast beef conducted by Les Salaisons Desco Inc. (EST 501).

The affected ready-to-eat roast beef and sandwiches and the stores from which they were sold are described as follows: ( See http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2008/20081026e.shtml )

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.

The stores listed above are voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

If the original product identity or date details are not evident, consumers are advised to check with their retailer to determine if they have the affected product(s).

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/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.

inspection.gc.ca

Listeria fear prompts food recalls in Ontario, Maritimes

CBC News - Canada

Last Updated: Saturday, October 25, 2008

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled several varieties of sandwiches, as well as roast beef, sold in the Maritimes and Ontario because they may be contaminated with listeria.

People are being advised not to consume ready-to-eat roast beef and sandwiches sold under the Mainline Market Best Picks brand at stores in Nova Scotia, including Mainline Market in Bridgewater, A&B Country Corner Convenience in Bridgewater and Middlewood, and Bordons in the Woods in Dalhousie.

Saturday's recall also included sliced roast beef and fresh-made sandwiches sold at Old Time Meat Market in Riverview, N.B., Bonnar's Meat in Sydney, N.S., and R&D Retail Meats (formerly Chris Brothers) in Dartmouth, N.S.

On Friday, the agency recalled 10 kinds of sandwiches sold by William Davids Foods Ltd. in Ontario. No illnesses have been linked to the sandwiches, the agency said.

The recalled products include:

· Brown and white roast beef sandwiches, best before Oct. 24.

· Roast beef on a Kaiser with any of hot peppers, cheese, gravy, bacinator, or bacon and cheese, best before Oct. 30

· Eight-inch subs, assorted, beef and cheese or hoagie, best before Oct. 30.

Recalls in both provinces are related to roast beef products made by Les Salaisons Desco Inc., a processor based in Boisbriand, northeast of Montreal.

Salaisons Desco has been involved in two other recent recalls.

Three Plaisirs Gastronomiques brand sandwiches were recalled in Quebec on Oct. 21 and seven Savco brand sandwiches, sold from vending machines around Sarnia, Ont., were recalled Oct. 23.

Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can be found in unpasteurized dairy products, raw vegetables and meats, and processed foods, including deli meats and hot dogs. Ingesting the bacteria can cause serious illness, including brain and blood infections that can lead to death. The elderly, infants and people with compromised immune systems are the most vulnerable.

With files from the Canadian Press

cbc.ca