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HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

MAURI BRAND BON TALEGGIO CHEESE MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

OTTAWA, May 26, 2005 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Mauri brand Bon Taleggio cheese, product of Italy, described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The following products are affected by this alert.

• Mauri brand Bon Taleggio cheese, product of Italy, sold in a 200 g package and distributed in Ontario and Quebec. All codes are affected.
• Mauri brand Bon Taleggio cheese, product of Italy, sold in unlabeled packages of various weights through a limited number of deli stores in Alberta and Ontario. Only the Mauri brand Bon Taleggio cheese is affected by this alert. Other brands of Taleggio cheese are not affected. Consumers who may have purchased the affected product during April 14 to May 26, 2005 (inclusive) should inquire at the place of purchase to verify if the store received the affected product.

The importer is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace.

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 the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342,

from 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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