ALLERGY ALERT

FRESH VACUUM PACKED FLOWER SHITAKE MUSHROOMS FROM CHINA MAY CONTAIN DANGEROUS BACTERIA

OTTAWA, March 16, 2005 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume fresh vacuum packed Flower Shitake Mushrooms from China because the product may be contaminated with the bacteria responsible for botulism, a food-borne illness in humans.

The Flower Shitake Mushrooms, is sold in a clear vacuum type package without any label or codes. The affected product was distributed in British Columbia through the following two retail outlets:

Lok's Produce, 298 East Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia

Lok's Produce, 4500 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia

The affected product is being voluntarily recalled from the marketplace.

Botulism is a life-threatening illness caused by the build-up of toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Food contaminated with C. botulinum may not look or smell spoiled. The product should not be consumed by humans or animals. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342. 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time - Monday to Friday.

For information on receiving recalls by electronic mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

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