OTTAWA – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Aliments Fontaine Santé Inc. are warning the public and retailers not to sell, use or consume the 1 kg "Sal-Couscous Royale" (Royal Couscous Salad) described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The affected product, Fontaine Santé brand "Sal-Couscous Royale", (Royal Couscous Salad), was sold in 1 kg containers bearing UPC 7 70333 01006 8 and Best Before 06 DE 2011.
The "Sal-Couscous Royale" (Royal Couscous Salad), is also sold clerk-served from deli-counters in various weight containers with or without a label or coding. Consumers who may have purchased Royal Couscous Salad between November 17 and December 1, 2011 and are unsure if they have the affected product are advised to check with their place of purchase.
This product has been distributed in Quebec and Ontario and may also have been distributed nationally.
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 this bacteria may cause listeriosis, a foodborne 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, Aliments Fontaine Santé Inc., Ville Saint-Laurent, Québec 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:
Aliments Fontaine Santé Inc at 1-888-627-2683 ext 234;
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).
Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency