Newsroom > Food Recalls and Allergy Alerts > Archives 

HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

LAWRENCE WIENERS MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

OTTAWA, January 20, 2005 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Lawrence Meat Packing Co. Ltd. are warning the public not to consume Lawrence Naturally Smoked Wieners because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The following products, bearing code MR 03, are affected by this alert:

1. Lawrence Naturally Smoked Wieners sold in a 450 g, bearing UPC 0 67318 09612 5 and establishment legend CANADA 181.

2. Lawrence Naturally Smoked Wieners BBQ 8-Count, bearing UPC 0 67318 09612 5 and establishment legend CANADA 181.

The manufacturer, Lawrence Meat Packing Co. Ltd., Dawson Creek, British Columbia, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The affected products have been distributed in British Columbia and Alberta.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacterium can cause listeriosis. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and nausea. Pregnant women, young children, 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. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

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

Lawrence Meat Packing Co. Ltd. at 250-782-5111;

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.

- 30 -

Media enquiries:

• Fact Sheet: Food Safety Facts on Listeria
• Audio Clips for Food Recalls and Allergy Alerts