HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

SANTA LUCIA BRAND RICOTTA CHEESE MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

Related Alerts: 2008-12-02 | 2008-12-04

OTTAWA, December 2, 2008 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and International Cheese Co. Ltd. are warning the public not to consume Santa Lucia brand Ricotta Cheese because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected product, Santa Lucia brand Ricotta Cheese, is sold in packages of 500 g, bearing a Best Before Date of 09JA01 (January 1, 2009) and lot number 477.  This product has been distributed 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, International Cheese Co. Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, 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:

International Cheese Co. Ltd. at 416-769-3547;

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/concern/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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