UPDATED HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

CERTAIN BEEF PRODUCTS MAY CONTAIN E. coli O157:H7 BACTERIA

Related Alerts:  2009-07-02 | 2009-06-30

OTTAWA, July 2, 2009 – The public warning issued on June 30, 2009 has been updated to clarify UPC information and to amend the list of stores distributing the affected products.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume certain beef products described below because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

This recall of beef products in Canada is related to the expanded recall of beef products in the USA by JBS Swift Beef Company, Greeley, Colorado due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_034_2009_Expanded/index.asp

The following President’s Choice (PC) brand beef products – steaks, roasts and ground beef, bearing Best Before dates April 29 to June 16, 2009 inclusive, are affected by this alert.

These fresh (not frozen) beef products were sold at retail in variable weight packages consisting of trays with a plastic over wrap as well as from the in-store meat counters. Consumers are advised to check their freezers and dispose of if they have the affected beef products.

Product	UPC beginning with
PC cab sirloin tip stk marinating sc	211297
PC  cab sirloin tip oven roast sc	211315
PC  cab strip loin grilling stk sc	211304
PC cab strp loin prem oven rst sc	211305
PC cab tenderloin grilling stk sc	218666
PC cab tnderloin prem. oven rst sc	211267
PC cab flank marinating steak sc	211275
PC tnt top sirloin steak cp	206632
PC tnt top sirloin beefeater steak	210407
PC tnt top sirloin cap steak	210408
PC tnt top sirloin steak	210409
PC tnt top sirloin oven roast	210410
PC tnt top sirloin steak	209137
PC tnt top sirlion steak cp	202965
PC tnt top sirloin roast	209253
PC tnt top srln c/o beefeater	209018
PC tnt top srln cap stk bnls	209079
PC tnt top srln cap stk bnls	210192
PC tnt top sirloin steak	210193
PC tnt top sirloin steak cp	203352
PC tnt top srln c/o beefeater	210191
PC tnt top sirloin oven roast	210194
PC cab beef ground xlean sc	211293
PC cab beef ground lean sc	285192

These products have been distributed in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada from the following retail stores:

Ontario:

• Cash & Carry
• Real Canadian Wholesale Club
• Fortinos
• Freshmart
• Loblaws
• Real Canadian Superstore
• Loblaw Superstore
• Valu-mart
• Your Independent Grocer
• Zehrs

Québec:

• Loblaws
• Provigo

Atlantic:

• Cash & Carry
• Real Canadian Wholesale Club
• Dominion
• Freshmart
• Red & White
• Quick Mart
• Save Easy
• Atlantic Superstore
• Valu-mart

In addition to the products listed above, the following beef product is also affected:

Beef Knuckle Roast, 4 to 5 lbs size, sold fresh from April 30 to June 10, 2009 from Sue’s Market, 205 Don Head Village Blvd., Richmond Hill, Ontario.

There have been no reported illnesses in Canada associated with the consumption of these products.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may 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 manufacturers are voluntarily recalling the 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 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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Media Inquiries:

CFIA Media Relations
613-773-6600