Ottawa, March 1, 2013 - The public warning issued on February 25, 2013 has been updated to include additional Best Before date codes of the product.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Arla Foods Inc. are warning the public not to consume the Mauri brand Gorgonzola cheese, product of Italy, described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.
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 importer, Arla Foods Inc., Concord, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected product 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:
Carl Choueiri of Arla Foods Inc. at 905-669-9393 Ext. 438;
Christine Picheca, Jesson and Company Communications Inc., at 416-992-1092 or 416-323-7828.
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).
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.