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EXPANDED HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

VARIOUS BRANDS OF IMPORTED FRESH SPINACH MAY CONTAIN E. coli 0157:H7 BACTERIA

Related Alerts: 2006-09-15 | 2006-09-15 | 2006-09-18
2006-10-30 - Canada eases border restrictions on fresh spinach from the United States

OTTAWA, September 18, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume various brands of fresh spinach, described below, packaged in the United States, because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.

This CFIA alert has been initiated in response to a recall by River Ranch, of California.

River Ranch Fresh Foods, Salinas, California, is recalling packages of spring mix containing spinach. River Ranch obtained bulk spring mix containing spinach from Natural Selections. The following brands are affected: Farmers Market, Hy-Vee, and Fresh N Easy.

The affected products may have been imported into Canada and distributed nationally. The CFIA will be working with Canadian importers to remove all of the affected product from the marketplace.

The CFIA continues to advise consumers not to eat fresh spinach from the U.S., including bagged, loose in bulk or in salad blends. If consumers are uncertain of the product source they can inquire with the retailer to confirm country of origin.

The CFIA continues to work with the Canadian Importers to recall affected products distributed by Natural Selection Foods as indicated in the Health Hazard Alert - September 15, 2006. (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2006/20060915be.shtml)

As an update to this alert, the Pro*Act brand was removed from Natural Selection Foods list of recalled brands by the FDA as of September 16, 2006.

Natural Selection Foods, LLC brands include: Natural Selection Foods, Pride of San Juan, Earthbound Farm, Bellissima, Dole, Rave Spinach, Emeril, Sysco, O Organic, Fresh Point, River Ranch, Superior, Nature’s Basket, Pro-Mark, Compliments, Trader Joe’s, Ready Pac, Jansal Valley, Cheney Brothers, Coastline, D’Arrigo Brothers, Green Harvest, Mann, Mills Family Farm, Premium Fresh, Snoboy, The Farmer’s Market, Tanimura & Antle, President’s Choice, Cross Valley, and Riverside Farms.

These products include spinach and any salad with spinach in a blend, both retail and food service products. Products that do not contain spinach are not part of this recall.

These products may have been distributed nationally.

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

In an effort to provide the public with current information, the CFIA issued a general advisory September 15, 2006: (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/newcom/2006/20060915e.shtml).

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The CFIA will continue to work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to investigate whether other companies and brands are involved.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recalls.

For more information, consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735.

For information on E. coli O157:H7, visit the Food Facts web page at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/causee.shtml.

For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

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