Government of Yukon
News archives
FOR RELEASE #08-200
August 20, 2008
Public Health Advisory - Stores and Restaurants Advised of Product Recall
WHITEHORSE - Grocery stores, restaurants and health care providers are being cautioned about using a Maple Leaf product recalled today by Yukon Environmental Health Services in light of a Health Hazard Alert issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods.
The health hazard warns the public against consuming ready-to-eat Maple Leaf deli meat products bearing an "Est. # 97B" because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
These products have been distributed nationally, primarily to food service institutions such as restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, these products are also sold at retail and deli counters. A number of the affected products described above are part of a Listeriosis outbreak investigation. The investigation is ongoing and no direct link has been made between the affected products and human illness.
Yukon Environmental Health Services has been in contact with the larger local grocery stores.
Yukon's Communicable Disease Officer Colleen Hemsley said today that notices were being sent to health care providers, including physicians and community health nurses, advising of the symptoms to look for in those who may have consumed the product. The public may call Yukon Communicable Disease Control 667-8323 for further information during the day, however, anyone severely ill should contact their local health centre or Whitehorse General Hospital.
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of contaminated food may cause listeriosis which can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, newborns, 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, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, Burlington, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
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| Contact: |
| Pat Living Director, Health and Social Services 867-667-3673 patricia.living@gov.yk.ca |