HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

CERTAIN HYGAARD BRAND SANDWICH PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTED IN NORTHERN ALBERTA AND SASKATCHEWAN MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

Related Alerts: 2009-01-27 | 2009-01-27 | 2009-01-19 | 2009-01-16

OTTAWA, January 16, 2009 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and HQ Fine Foods EST 318 are warning the public not to consume certain Hygaard brand sandwich products described below because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The sandwich products described below are affected by this alert.

A limited amount of these products were sold in Northern Alberta and Saskatchewan only.

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 this bacteria my 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, HQ Fine Foods EST 318, Sherwood Park, Alberta is voluntarily removing these products from the marketplace. 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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