Canadian Food Inspection Agency

June 19, 2007 21:08 ET

CFIA/Warning: Expanded Health Hazard Alert - Sesame Seeds Packed by Les Aliments G. Dion May Contain Salmonella Bacteria

Audio clips available at www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/relations/indexaude.shtml.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 19, 2007) - The previous public warning issued on June 7, 2007, has been expanded to include additional lot codes, a new package size and distribution information.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume sesame seeds described below because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following products, packed by Les Aliments G. Dion, are affected by this alert:

1. GD Sesame seed, sold as a 50 g package bearing UPC 6 20383 01055 9 and the lot codes 02W08S, 03W13S, 03W27S, 03W29S, 04W11S, 04W16S, 04W23S, 05W07S and 05W29S.

2. Sesame seeds, sold as a 1.0 kg package bearing UPC 6 20383 60355 3 and the lot codes 02W28S, 04W13S and 05W29S.

The affected products have been distributed in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

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

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The recalling firm, 9030-5418 Quebec Inc., Saint-Jerome, Quebec, 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 the 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 Salmonella, visit the Food Facts web page at
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.