Listeria threat in some ready-to-eat cooked meats

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Smith’s Quality Meats are warning the public not to serve or consume the ready-to-eat cooked meats from Establishment 294 described below because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The manufacturer, Smith’s Quality Meats, Winnipeg, Manitoba is voluntarily recalling all ready-to-eat cooked meats from the marketplace as a precautionary measure. The CFIAis monitoring the effectiveness of the recall, and the investigation is continuing.
 

The following ready-to-eat meat products bearing Establishment number 294 and a Best Before date between 2010JN11 (June 11, 2010) and 2010SE03 (September 3, 2010), inclusive, are affected by this alert.
 

The affected products have been distributed in retail and deli stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. If the original product identity and Best

Before code is not evident, consumers are advised to check with their retailer to determine if the product is included in the list of recalled products.

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

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.