HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

CERTAIN LEAN GROUND VEAL MAY CONTAIN E. coli O157:H7 BACTERIA

OTTAWA, March 6, 2009 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume lean ground veal described below because the product may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

Lean Ground Veal affected by this alert was sold in packages of approximately 0.500 kg, bearing UPC 0 284112 505596 and best before date 09 MAR 8 (March 8, 2009). Product label bears Canada establishment number 429 and was prepared for New Zealand Lamb, Etobicoke, Ontario.

This product has been distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

There has been no reported illness associated with the consumption of this product.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria my cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The distributor, New Zealand Lamb, Etobicoke, 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 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 E. coli O157:H7, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/ecolie.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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