HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

GAGAN BRAND TURMERIC (HALDI) POWDER MAY CONTAIN SALMONELLA BACTERIA

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OTTAWA, February 18, 2011 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Gagan Foods International Ltd. are warning the public not to consume Gagan brand Turmeric (Haldi) Powder described below because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The affected product, Gagan brand Turmeric (Haldi) Powder, product of India, is sold in 200 g packages bearing UPC 7 75620 31106 4. This product has been distributed in British Columbia and Alberta.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a food borne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The importer, Gagan Foods International Ltd., Vancouver, BC is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For information on Salmonella, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/salmonellae.shtml

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA’s Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp.

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca. Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.

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Media enquiries:

CFIA Media Relations
613-773-6600

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Gagan brand Turmeric (Haldi) Powder

Gagan brand Turmeric (Haldi) Powder