August 5, 2009 - The Health Unit is advising residents that Maple Leaf Consumer Foods is voluntarily recalling certain brands of wieners. 

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  To date, there have been no reports of any illness associated with the products affected by the recall.

In addition to notifying the public through this media release and information on the website, the Health Unit is contacting high-risk facilities including child day care centres, long-term care homes, group homes, and area special events organizers to ensure that they remove the recalled product from their inventory and do not serve it to the public.

The products included on the recall list can be identified by the markings L1 and EST 611 in the inkjet marking on the edge of the package. Please refer to the detailed recall list located on the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca (Food Recalls and Allergy Alerts).

The public is advised to take the following steps:

• Check the list of recalled products.
• Verify that the purchased products are not on the recall list.
• If the product is listed, throw it out or return it to the store it was purchased from.
• If unsure of the product details, throw it out as a health precaution.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. By consuming contaminated food, individuals may develop a food borne illness called listeriosis. Symptoms could include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Those at highest risk include pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.  Pregnant women may only experience flu-like symptoms.  However, contracting the illness could lead to complications including premature delivery, newborn infections or stillbirth.

Consumers can contact the CFIA for more information at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

A fact sheet on Listeria monocytogenes is available on the CFIA website visit the CFIA Food Facts web page at: www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/listeriae.shtml

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