HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

ROSE HAUS CAVE AGED WASHED RIND CHEESE MADE BY FIFTH TOWN ARTISAN CHEESE CO. MAY CONTAIN LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

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OTTAWA, February 19, 2011: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co. are warning the public not to consume the Rose Haus Cave Aged Washed Rind Cheese described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The Rose Haus Cave Aged Washed Rind Cheese is sold in 200 g packages bearing Lot Code 400411. All Best Before dates are affected by this alert.

This cheese has been distributed in Ontario.

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

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause listeriosis, a food borne illness. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, 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.

The Manufacturer, Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co., Picton, Ontario 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 one of the following numbers:

Petra Kasun Mutch, 613-476-5755, Petrac@fifthtown.ca

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 Listeria monocytogenes, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/listeriae.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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Rose Haus Cave Aged Washed Rind Cheese - Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Co.