Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): Health Hazard Alert - Certain Ready-to-Eat Deli Meats Sold by Metro-Richelieu Stores May Contain Listeria Monocytogenes

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Metro-Richelieu Inc., Montreal, QC are warning the public not to serve or consume the ready-to-eat deli meats described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

This recall is being initiated as these meats were products recalled by Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, Burlington, ON.

The following ready-to-eat deli meats, vacuum packed in stores, are affected by this alert. They were sold in certain Metro, Richelieu, Ami and Gem stores in Quebec.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Best Before Dates
Product                                        Size   up to and Incl.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ML or Maple Leaf Waxed Bologna      Various weights        05 SE 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ML or Maple Leaf Regular Bologna    Various weights        05 SE 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------
BI or Bittners Oven
 Rst Turkey Breast                  Various weights        05 SE 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Metro-Richelieu Inc., Montreal, QC 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:

Metro- Richelieu Inc., Montreal, QC, Customer service at 1-800-561-8429

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 information on Listeria monocytogenes, visit the Food Facts web page http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/causee.shtml.

For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

mbacon@metro.ca