Salmonella :: Certain sesame seeds sold at specific retail outlets may contain salmonella bacteria

The public warning issued on June 28, 2007 has been expanded to include additional products and distribution information.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume certain pre-packaged sesame seeds described below because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Consumers who have purchased the sesame seeds described above during the time periods, and are unsure that it is affected product, should contact the retail store to determine if the product purchased is affected.

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

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne 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 diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The CFIA is working with importers, distributors and retail stores to have the affected products removed from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call the 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).


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