HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

CERTAIN LES CULTURES DE CHEZ NOUS BRAND SLICED LEEKS MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

Related Alerts: 2009-01-23 | 2009-01-20

OTTAWA, January 20, 2009 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Les Cultures de Chez Nous Inc. are warning the public not to consume the leeks described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The following Les Cultures de Chez Nous brand products are affected by this alert:

Product	Size	UPC	Best Before
Sliced, Washed Leeks	250 g	6 61999 00250 7	27-01-09
Sliced Leeks	750 g	6 61999 00750 2	27-01-09

These products have been distributed in New Brunswick and 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 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, Les Cultures de Chez Nous Inc, Sainte-Brigitte-des-Saults, Quebec 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:

Les Cultures de Chez Nous Inc. at 819-336-4846

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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