HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

OLD STYLE BRAND THIN SLICED HONEY HAM MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

OTTAWA, November 3, 2008 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Mariposa Meats are warning the public not to consume Old Style brand Thin Sliced Honey Ham because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected product, Old Style brand Thin Sliced Honey Ham is sold in 450 g packages  bearing a Best Before date of 08NO17 (November 17, 2008) and UPC 6 28292 50001 7.

This product has been distributed exclusively in Price Chopper stores in Ontario.

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

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 manufacturer, Mariposa Meats, Mississauga, ON, 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:

Mariposa Meats at 905-855-8111; or,

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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