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HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

FONTAINE SANTÉ PESTO PRODUCTS MAY CONTAIN DANGEROUS MICROORGANISM

OTTAWA, August 3, 2005 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Aliments Fontaine Santé Inc. are advising public not to consume the Fontaine Santé pesto products described below as they may contain the microorganism Cyclospora cayetanensis which presents a health risk.

The following Fontaine Santé products are affected by this alert:

1. Fontaine Santé, Pesto, Fresh Basil, sold in a 180 g package bearing UPC 7 70333 08100 6 and the Best Before dates from 30 AU 05 (August 30, 2005) up to and including 27 SE 05 (September 27, 2005);
2. Fontaine Santé, Pesto Cilantro, sold in a 180 g package bearing UPC 7 70333 08110 5 and the Best Before dates from 11 SE 05 (September 11, 2005) up to and including 25 SE 05 (September 25, 2005);
3. Fontaine Santé, Pesto Fusilli Salad, sold in a 350 g package bearing UPC 7 70333 00135 6 and the Best Before dates from 3 AU 05 (August 3, 2005) up to and including 17 AU 05 (August 17, 2005);
4. Fontaine Santé, Feta Penne Salad, sold in a 350 g package bearing UPC 7 70333 00125 7 and the Best Before dates from 4 AU 05 (August 4, 2005) up to and including 19 AU 05 (August 19, 2005);

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Aliments Fontaine Santé Inc., St-Laurent, Quebec, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The affected products were distributed in Quebec and Ontario.

For general information, food contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis may not look or smell spoiled. Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite that causes gastrointestinal infection. Usually the symptoms of infection begin about 1 week after exposure and may include watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, prolonged fatigue, muscle aches, and low-grade fever. If untreated, the illness can last for weeks to months and symptoms can come and go.

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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