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HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

SOBEYS FRESH GROUND VEAL MAY CONTAIN E. coli 0157:H7 BACTERIA

OTTAWA, August 18, 2004 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Bellivo Transformation Inc. and Sobeys Inc. are warning the public not to consume Sobeys Fresh Ground Veal because it may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria.

The affected Sobeys Fresh Ground Veal was sold between August 13 and August 16, 2004 and bears a Best Before date of 22AU04.

The manufacturer and packager, Bellivo Transformation Inc., Saint Paulin, Quebec, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. It was sold only from Sobeys stores in Atlantic provinces. Any customers with affected product are requested to return the product to the point of purchase.

E. coli 0157:H7 causes serious and potentially life-threatening illness by producing a toxin that can break down the lining of the intestines and damage the kidneys. Food contaminated with the E. coli bacteria will not look or smell spoiled. This product should not be consumed. There has been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

CFIA’s Food Safety Tips on Escherichia coli O157:H7 can be viewed at www.inspection.gc.ca

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:

Bellivo Transformation Inc, Quality Control at 1-800-567-7813.

Sobeys Customer Care Line at 1-888-944-0442.

The CFIA at 1-800-442-2342. 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time - Monday to Friday.

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

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