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CFIA ADVISES CONSUMERS OF PLANT HEALTH RISK ASSOCIATED WITH TOY CLICKER RIFLE

OTTAWA, April 13, 2005 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is asking consumers who may have purchased Toy Clicker Rifles from Dollarama stores to return them to the point of purchase. The toy rifles contain soil that poses a risk to the Canadian environment.

The soil is contained in bags sealed in Toy Clicker Rifles. They are identified by the code 0803838 on the upper right hand corner of the cardboard packaging and were manufactured in China. The Toy Clicker Rifle is stamped with the term "SUPER GUN" with a stylized wild cat outline and is accented with red, blue or green plastic trim.

The soil, which is in a bag is encased in the handle of each Toy Clicker Rifle, acts as a weight. The soil may spill out and release destructive insects, microscopic worms, fungi or bacteria that could spread into Canadian crops and forests. The CFIA is issuing this advisory due to the plant health risk associated with the soil, rather than any risk to human health.

It is essential that consumers not dispose of the soil themselves but return the Toy Clicker Rifles to the point of purchase. These Toy Clicker Rifles have been distributed to Dollarama stores located in the provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, and may have been distributed in other provinces as well.

The CFIA is responsible for preventing the importation, spread and exportation of pests that threaten Canada’s plant life and the agricultural and forestry sector. Soil is recognized internationally as a major pathway for the introduction of plant pests. As a result, the entry of soil from outside of Canada and the United States is prohibited.

For more information, consumers can call the CFIA at 1 800 903-7274, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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

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For more information:

CFIAMedia Relations: (613) 228-6682

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