HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

CERTAIN HAM SAUSAGES MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

OTTAWA, December 15, 2009 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Superior Sausage and Meat Products Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the Ham Sausages described below because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected products described below may have been purchased from the following two locations on the dates indicated:

These products were distributed only in Ontario.

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, Superior Sausage and Meat Products Ltd., of Toronto, 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 one of the following numbers:

Superior Sausage and Meat Products Ltd. at 416-531-8422;

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 more information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA's Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp

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