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HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

MOTHER HEN BABY FOOD MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

Related Alerts: 2005-02-22 | 2005-03-11

OTTAWA, March 11, 2005 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and La mère poule Aliments pour bébé Inc. are warning the public not to consume Mother Hen Baby Food described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The following products are affected by this alert:

1. Mother Hen Strained Turkey Baby Food Beginner, sold frozen, in a package of 6 units of 59 mL, bearing the UPC 6 23067 16023 6 and the code 601111016023 (embossed under the box). The individual 59 mL unit bears the code 601111.
2. Mother Hen Parisian Turkey Junior Meal, sold frozen, in a package of 4 units of 118 mL, bearing the UPC 6 23067 16156 1 and the code 601112016156 (embossed under the box). The individual 118 mL unit bears the code 601112.

The manufacturer, La mère poule Aliments pour bébé Inc., St-Léonard, Quebec, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The affected products has been distributed in Quebec and Ontario.

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 this product.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

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

Mme Assia Sami at (514) 852-5858;

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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