Listeria recall expanded to Sobeys, Foodland, IGA

NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY

************************* OTTAWA, ON - (August 27, 2008) - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Sobeys Inc. are warning the public not to serve or consume cooked ham and salami sandwiches described below, sold in Sobeys, Foodland and IGA stores in Ontario, because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

This recall is being initiated as these sandwiches contain some of the ready-to-eat deli meat products recalled by Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, Burlington, Ontario.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these sandwiches. The following cooked ham and salami sandwiches sold in Sobeys, Foodland and IGA stores in Ontario are affected by this alert.

"Packed On" dates up to and including 4Pk Cooked Ham and Salami Subs Whole Wheat 257254 307991 900 g / 2008 AU 24

4Pk Cooked Ham and Salami Subs White 227257 307991 900 g / 2008 AU 24

2Pk Cooked Ham and Salami Subs Whole Wheat 237214 404397 450 g / 2008 AU 24

2Pk Cooked Ham and Salami Subs White 217229 404391 450 g / 2008 AU 24

Cooked Ham and Salami Sub Whole Wheat 257253 002580 225 g / 2008 AU 24

Cooked Ham and Salami Sub White 217237 002596 225 g / 2008 AU 24

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.

Sobeys Inc, Mississauga, 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 can call one of the following numbers:

Sobeys Ontario Customer Care at 1-888-821-5557 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday)

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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