HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

COMPLIMENTS BRAND ITALIAN BLEND SALAD MIX MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

OTTAWA, January 15, 2010 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Compliments brand Italian Blend salad mix described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected product, Compliments brand Italian Blend, is sold in 284 g (10 oz.) packages bearing UPC 68820 10093 and a Best Before Date of 10JA18.

This product has been distributed in Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

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 importer, Sobeys Inc., Mississauga ON, 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 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.

-30-

Media Inquiries:

CFIA Media Relations:
613-773-6600

Compliments Italian Blend - principal display panel

Compliments Italian Blend - ingredient list