Health warning about pastrami

NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY

************************* Health hazard alert - old-style pastrami may contain Listeria monocytogene

OTTAWA - (December 14) - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Old Style brand Pastrami because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected product, Old Style brand Pastrami is sold in 450 g packages bearing a Best Before date of 09JA15 (January 15, 2009).

This product has been distributed in Ontario.

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.

CFIA is working with the manufacturer, Mariposa Meats, Mississauga, ON, to have the affected product removed from the marketplace.

The CFIA will monitor the effectiveness of the recall.

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

- CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

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