Health Hazard Alert - Certain EUROMAX FOODS Brand Vacuum Packaged Smoked Fish Products May Contain Dangerous Bacteria

Ottawa, December 16, 2011 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Euromax Foods are warning the public not to consume certain Euromax Foods brand vacuum packaged smoked fish products, described below, because the products may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by this bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

The following Euromax Foods brand vacuum packaged smoked fish products, sold in various weights, listed below, are affected by this alert:

These products have been sold only at Euromax Foods located at 190 Boivard Drive West, Unit 59, Brampton, Ontario.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with the toxin may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The retailer, Euromax Foods, Brampton, Ontario, 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 one of the following numbers:

Euromax Foods at (905) 460-1375;

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 Clostridium botulinum, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/botulisme.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: www.foodsafety.gc.ca. Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.

- 30 -