HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

MASTRO BRAND CASALINGO SALAMI MAY CONTAIN SALMONELLA BACTERIA

OTTAWA, August 23, 2007 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Santa Maria Foods ULC are warning the public not to consume Mastro brand Casalingo Salami described below because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The affected product, Mastro brand Casalingo Salami, was sold in variable weight (approximately 454 g) packages bearing Lot code 3317A191. This product was distributed in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

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

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a food borne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The manufacturer, Santa Maria Foods ULC, Toronto, Ontario, 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:

Santa Maria Foods
1-800-663-8695, Extension 236

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 Salmonella, visit the Food Facts web page at
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/causee.shtml.

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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Media enquiries: 

Santa Maria Foods
1-800-663-8695, Extension 245