President’s Choice beef recalled - may contain E. coli

NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY

************************* Health hazard alert - certain beef products may contain E. coli O157:H7 B bacteria

OTTAWA - (June 30, 2009) – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume certain beef products described below because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

This recall of beef products in Canada is related to the expanded recall of beef products in the USA by JBS Swift Beef Company, Greeley, Colorado due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

The following President’s Choice (PC) brand beef products – steaks, roasts and ground beef, bearing Best Before dates April 29 to June 16, 2009 inclusive, are affected by this alert.

These fresh (not frozen) beef products were sold at retail in variable weight packages consisting of trays with a plastic over wrap as well as from the in-store meat counters.

Consumers are advised to check their freezers and dispose of if they have the affected beef products.

Product / UPC

PC cab sirloin tip stk marinating sc 21129700000

PC cab sirloin tip oven roast sc 21131500000

PC cab strip loin grilling stk sc 21130400000

PC cab strp loin prem oven rst sc 21130500000

PC cab tenderloin grilling stk sc 21866600000

PC cab tnderloin prem. oven rst sc 21126700000

PC cab flank marinating steak sc 21127500000

PC tnt top sirloin steak cp 20663200000

PC tnt top sirloin beefeater steak 21040700000

PC tnt top sirloin cap steak 21040800000

PC tnt top sirloin steak 21040900000

PC tnt top sirloin oven roast 21041000000

PC tnt top sirloin steak 20913700000

PC tnt top sirlion steak cp 20296500000

PC tnt top sirloin roast 20925300000

PC tnt top srln c/o beefeater 20901800000

PC tnt top srln cap stk bnls 20907900000

PC tnt top srln cap stk bnls 21019200000

PC tnt top sirloin steak 21019300000

PC tnt top sirlion steak cp 20335200000

PC tnt top srln c/o beefeater 21019100000

PC tnt top sirloin oven roast 21019400000

PC cab beef ground xlean sc 21129300000

PC cab beef ground lean sc 28519200000

These products have been distributed in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada from the following retail stores:

Ontario Cash & Carry Real Canadian Wholesale Club Dominion Extra Foods Fortinos Freshmart Loblaws No Frills Real Canadian Superstore Loblaw Superstore Valu-mart Your Independent Grocer Zehrs Westfair

Québec AXEP Intermarché Loblaws Entrepôt Presto Club Entrepôt Provigo Provigo

Atlantic

Cash & Carry Real Canadian Wholesale Club Dominion Freshmart Red & White Quick Mart Save Easy Atlantic Superstore Valu-mart

In addition to the products listed above, the following beef product is also affected:

Beef Knuckle Roast, 4 to 5 lbs size, sold fresh from April 30 to June 10, 2009 from Sue’s Market, 205 Don Head Village Blvd., Richmond Hill, Ontario.

There have been no reported illnesses in Canada associated with the consumption of these products.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled.

Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria my cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea.

Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis.

Others may live with permanent kidney damage.

In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The manufacturers are 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 the 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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