HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

VARIOUS SLICED MUSHROOM PRODUCTS MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

OTTAWA, August 1, 2008 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Continental Mushroom Corporation Ltd. are warning the public not to consume various sliced mushroom products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The affected products are described as follows:

Brand	Product	UPC
Continental	Quickslice Triple Washed	0 64798 00005 5
Fresh Obsessions	Pre-Washed Sliced White Mushrooms	0 69200 00902 2
Fresh Obsessions	Sliced Crimini (Italian Brown) Mushrooms	0 69200 00502 4

All three products are sold in 227 g packages that bear a lot code beginning with 200 to 214, inclusive.

The Fresh Obsessions products included in this recall are sold only at Loeb stores and indicate "CONTINENTAL MUSHROOM" above the lot code on the cellophane wrapper.

These products have been distributed in Ontario and Quebec.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

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.

The grower, Continental Mushroom Corporation Ltd., Ottawa, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. 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 Listeria monocytogenes, 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.

- 30 -

Media enquiries: