HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

A & K CANNED SAUSAGES MAY CONTAIN DANGEROUS BACTERIA

OTTAWA, February 24, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and A & K Sausage are warning the public not to consume A & K Brand Canned Sausages 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 A & K Canned Sausages are affected by this alert:

1. Bierwurst, Beer Sausage
2. Farmer Sausage
3. Hausmacher Leberwurst, Farmers Liversausage
4. Kalbsleberwurst Fein, Veal Liversausage
5. Lyoner
6. Schweinemett, Pork Luncheon Meat
7. Thuringer Blutwurst

These sausages were sold in 200g cans. All Best Before dates are affected. These sausages were distributed in British Columbia.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

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 manufacturer, A & K Sausage, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, 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:

A & K Sausage, Viktor Miller, (604) 467-3371, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Tuesday to Saturday;

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 www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/foodfacts/fftoce.shtml#tipcon.

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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