HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

CERTAIN HAM SALAD AND HAM SALAD PRODUCTS SOLD AT VARIOUS RETAIL OUTLETS MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

OTTAWA, February 20, 2009 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume certain products containing ham salad manufactured by Plaisirs Gastronomiques Inc. because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Affected by this alert are various ham salad and ham salad products, including ham salad sandwiches, manufactured at some of the following chain stores and other independent retailers and deli stores in the province of Quebec:

Consumers who have purchased various ham salad and ham salad products including sandwiches manufactured at some chain stores and other independent retailers and deli stores in Quebec between February 11 and February 20 inclusive are advised to check at the place of purchase to determine if they have the recalled products. Consumers who would still have these products in their refrigerators, are advised not to consume them.

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, Plaisirs Gastronomiques Inc, Boisbriand, Quebec, has instructed all retailers who have used the ham salad to make ham sandwiches and other ham salad products to voluntarily remove any affected 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/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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