HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

CERTAIN READY-TO-EAT DELI MEATS SOLD BY CO-OP ATLANTIC STORES MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

OTTAWA, August 29, 2008 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Co-op Atlantic, Moncton, NB are warning the public not to serve or consume the ready-to-eat deli meats described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

This recall is being initiated as these meats were recalled by Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, Burlington, ON.

The following ready-to-eat deli meats, vacuum packed in stores, are affected by this alert. They were sold from some of the Co-op Atlantic stores in Atlantic provinces, Magdalen Islands of Quebec:

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.

Co-op Atlantic, Moncton, NB 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 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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Media enquiries:

Co-op Atlantic
Mark Higgins
506-858-6000