Toddler pear juices may contain arsenic

NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY

************************* Health hazard alert - certain pear juices for toddlers may contain arsenic OTTAWA - (March 11) - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaws Inc. are warning the public not to consume certain pear juices for toddlers because these products may be contaminated with arsenic.

The following products are affected by this recall:

President’s Choice Organics Pear Juice from Concentrate for Toddlers

UPC: 0 60383 70935 8 Size: 1 L Lot codes: All

Beech Nut Pear Juice from concentrate with Vitamin C added UPC: 0 523842 8 Size: 128 mL Lot codes: 2009 FE 02; A0384B0935

These products have been distributed across Canada.

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

Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal that may be carcinogenic and may pose developmental risks to children.

Loblaws Inc, Brampton, Ontario, has voluntarily recalled 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:

Loblaws Customer Relations at 1-888-495-5111.

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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