HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

CERTAIN PLAISIRS GASTRONOMIQUES (PG) BRAND SANDWICHES MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

OTTAWA, October 20, 2008 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Plaisirs Gastronomiques (PG) brand sandwiches described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The following Plaisirs Gastronomiques (PG) brand sandwiches are affected by this alert.

These products have been distributed in 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 these 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 CFIA is working with the manufacturer, Plaisirs Gastronomiques Inc., Boisbriand, QC, to have the affected products removed from the marketplace.

These sandwiches were made with roast beef manufactured at Les Salaisons Desco Inc. ( EST 501). This roast beef had tested positive for Listeria.

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/cause/listeriae.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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