Aylmer Meat products found in Sault, Elliot Lake

Recalled meat products associated with Aylmer Meat Packers Inc. have been withdrawn from two area businesses, the Algoma Health Unit reports this afternoon.

The retailers, Superior Home Bakery in Sault Ste. Marie and Drew’s Deli in Elliot Lake, have both been contacted by health officials.

Superior Home Bakery had previously been notified by its supplier, Wagener’s Meat Products, and discarded the recalled product immediately.

Drew’s Deli was told to remove the product from its shelves and to hold it pending further instruction from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The following is the full text of news releases distributed by the Algoma Health Unit and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care:

**************************************************************** Aylmer Meat Recall

The Algoma Health Unit has contacted specialty food outlets in the district and found that two retailers had been supplied with Wagener beef products that were named in a Canadian Food Inspection Agency MANDATORY RECALL OF VARIOUS WAGENER BEEF PRODUCTS on August 26, 2003.

One of the retailers, Superior Home Bakery, in Sault Ste. Marie, has been notified directly by Wagener’s Meat Products and discarded the product immediately.

The other retailer, Drew’s Deli, in Elliot Lake, was advised to remove the product from sale and hold it until given further direction by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

The list of affected suppliers and products can be found at the CFIA web site at www.inspection.gc.ca

If consumers have purchased Wagener beef products listed in the RECALL, in bulk or pre-sliced, and still have them in their refrigerators or freezers, they are advised not to eat the product.

There is a continuing investigation of the practices of Aylmer Meat Packers Inc. and risks associated in beef products originating from that plant.

Please check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website (www.inspection.gc.ca) for frequent updates.

Consumers and Industry can call 1–800-442-2342.

**************************************************************** Ontario Public Health Advisory - Aylmer Meat Packaging Recall

As announced on Sunday, August 24, 2003, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) has been conducting a detailed investigation respecting the handling of animals and meat at Aylmer Meat Packers Inc., Aylmer, Ontario, supported with a product recall issued by Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The beef products under recall may have been sold as various cuts of beef and may also have been processed into sausages, ground beef, and other products.

Products from Aylmer Meat Packers Inc. are known to have been distributed in Ontario.

Due to the alleged breach in the inspection procedures by Aylmer Meat Packers Inc., the Public Health Division, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care advises:

- Consumers should not eat any meat products that originated from the Aylmer Meat Packers facility or from those secondary meat processors that may have used Aylmer beef in the production of meat products.

- Consumers should check with the store where they purchased the product if the source of the meat packing facility is unclear.

- The risk to public health is low if you have eaten any products in that past as long as they were thoroughly cooked.

- The public is reminded that the basic symptoms from food poisoning, and food-borne illness are diarrhea and vomiting from 2 hours after consuming contaminated product and up to 3 days later.

- If you suspect you have consumed any meat products produced by Aylmer Meat Packers Inc. and experience any of the above symptoms, please contact your physician or attend your local hospital emergency department.

- As a result of an continuing investigation, the following is a partial list illustrating the type of products that may contain processed beef or meats from Aylmer Meat Packers Inc:

- Pork and Beef Rings - Wine Salami - Pepper Salami - Beer Sausage - Smoked Beef - Cervelat Salami - Mexican Salami - Corned Beef - Pastrami Smoked Beef - Fleischwurst Bologna - Cooked Roast Beef Medium - German Salami - Teewurst - Hungarian Salami - Mexican Salami (Hot) - Jagdwurst with Pistachios - Wieners - Knacker - All Beef Salami - Pepperseed Salami - Gypsy Salami

For a detailed list of manufacturers of these products, check the CFIA website below.

The investigation continues.

Please check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website www.inspection.gc.ca for frequent updates on retail outlets and further information on the recall, as it becomes available.

For Consumers and Industry, please call 1–800-442-2342.

****************************************************************