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HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

CERTAIN ZOMI PALM OIL MAY CONTAIN A SUDAN DYE

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OTTAWA, April 19, 2005 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Central Market, Etobicoke, Ontario are warning the public not to consume Zomi Palm Oil described below. These products may contain a non-permitted colour, Sudan IV, which is considered to be carcinogenic.

The following products are affected by this alert:

1. Zomi Palm Oil, sold in 2 L plastic bottles without any labels from Central Market, 5010 Steeles Avenue West, Etobicoke, Ontario.
2. Zomi Palm Oil, sold in 2 L plastic bottles without any labels from Rown Tree Meats, 2687 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke, Ontario.
3. Zomi Palm Oil, sold in 2 L plastic bottles, labelled as Palm Oil (Zumi), bearing PKG ON dates of AL with name of Central Market.

The importer, Central Market, is voluntarily recalling these products from the marketplace. The affected products have only been sold from two stores identified above.

Sudan I and IV, red dyes, are not permitted as food colours in Canada. Sudan I has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals and these findings could also be significant for human health. 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 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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