HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

CERTAIN KIRKLAND SIGNATURE BRAND PLATTERS MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

OTTAWA, August 27, 2008 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd are warning the public not to serve or consume the Kirkland Signature brand platters described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

This recall is being initiated as these platters contain a ready-to-eat deli meat product recalled by Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, Burlington, ON. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these platters.

The following Kirkland Signature brand platters are affected by this alert:

These platters were sold through Costco Wholesale stores nationally.

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.

Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd, Ottawa, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. Costco Canada is in the process of contacting all members, who purchased these products, by phone. 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.

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