Health Hazard Alert: Certain Central-Epicure Brand Smoked Atlantic Salmon May Contain Listeria monocytogenes

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Mar 23, 2013) -

Product photos are available at http://bit.ly/11uRgoS.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Central-Epicure Food Products Ltd. are warning the public not to consume Central-Epicure brand Smoked Atlantic Salmon because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected product, Central-Epicure brand Smoked Atlantic Salmon is sold in 100g packages bearing UPC 0 61279 21200 6 and the date code BEST BEFORE 13MR26.

This product is distributed in Ontario and Quebec.

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 these 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.

The manufacturer, Central-Epicure Food Products Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can contact:

Central- Epicure Food Products Ltd. at foodsafety@centralepicure.com

CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For more information on foodborne pathogens, visit the Causes of Food Poisoning web page at: http://inspection.gc.ca/food_poisoning.

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA's Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp.

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca. Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.