HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

IMPORTED HONEY BEARING A LABEL IN CYRILLIC ONLY MAY CONTAIN CHLORAMPHENICOL

OTTAWA, December 14, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning people not to consume the honey products described below because they may be contaminated with chloramphenicol.

The affected products bear a label in Cyrillic only (no English or French).

1. The name on the label is "КВіТҜОВИЙ МЕД НатуралЬңий СТЕЛОВИЙ". The product is sold in 480g jar bearing UPC 4 820013 330019 and lot 010906.
2. The name on the label is "КВіТҜОВИЙ МЕД НатуралЬңий ЛУГОВИЙ". The product is sold in 480g jar bearing UPC 4 820013 330071 and lot 010906.
3. The name on the label is "КВіТҜОВИЙ МЕД НатуралЬңий ГРЕЧАНИЙ". The product is sold in 480g jar bearing UPC 4 820013 330132 and lot 010906.

Pictures of the labels are available at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2006/20061214e.shtml.

These honey products are from Ukraine and have been distributed in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta. The importer is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace.

The presence of chloramphenicol in honey poses a risk (although small) of a serious blood disorder known as aplastic anaemia. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic drug which is not permitted for use in Canada in food producing animals, including bees. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

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 receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

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