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HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

THRIFTY KITCHEN CRAB CAKES MAY CONTAIN DANGEROUS BACTERIA

OTTAWA, November 2, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Thrifty Foods are warning the public not to consume Thrifty Kitchen Crab Cakes described below because they may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by this bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

The Thrifty Kitchen’s Crab Cakes, item code 29273 sold on dates up to and including November 2, 2006 are affected by this alert. This product was sold from the seafood department in Thrifty Foods stores across British Columbia.

The Thrifty Kitchen Crab Cakes were made using Phillips brand Pasteurized canned Crab Meat which was previously recalled due to possible Clostridium botulinum contamination. For information on the Phillips brand Pasteurized canned Crab Meat recall see link below.
(http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2006/20061028e.shtml)

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with the toxin may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

Thrifty Kitchens, Saanichton, British Columbia, is voluntarily recalling the affected product 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:

Thrifty Foods - Susan Postma at 250-483-1177

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 Clostridium botulinum, 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.

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