These olives might kill you - don't eat them

NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY

************************* Health hazard alert - Marcella's Garden Brand Olives may contain dangerous bacteria

OTTAWA - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Excelsior Foods Inc. are warning the public not to consume Marcella's Garden brand Olives described below because these products may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.

Toxins produced by this bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

Only the following Marcella's Garden brand Olives sold in 600 ml plastic tubs bearing a best before date of 31/07/2007 are affected by this alert.

1. Baresana Olives, lot 009/6, UPC 0 62136 90067 8.

2. Calabrese Olives, lot 012/6, UPC 0 62136 90070 8.

3. Cerignola Olives, lot 011/6, UPC 0 62136 90069 2.

4. Jumbo Stuffed Olives, lot 011/9, UPC 0 62136 90071 5.

5. Kalamata Olives, lot 005/6, UPC 0 62136 90066 1.

6. Nocellara Olives, lot 010/6, UPC 0 62136 90068 5.

These olives, imported from Italy, were distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these olives.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled.

Consumption of food contaminated with the toxin may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die. The importer, Excelsior Foods Inc., Toronto, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry may call one of the following numbers:

Excelsior Foods Inc., Daniel Violante, at 1-800-845-5636.

CFIA at 1 800 442-2342. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, Monday to Friday.

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