The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaws Inc. are warning the public not to consume the No Name French Cut Green Beans described below because the product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by this bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.
The public warning issued on August 1, 2007 has been updated to include additional information regarding the product distribution in Quebec.
The affected product is No Name French Cut Green Beans, 398 ml cans, bearing UPC 60383 03310. The affected cans bear the following in the top line of the can code. EAA5247, EAA5257, EAA5267, EAA5277, EAB5247, EAB5257, ECA5207, ECA5217, ECA5227, ECA5297, ECB5207, ECB5217, ECB5227 and ECB5307. This product has been distributed in Quebec, Ontario and the Western provinces.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.
Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with the toxin may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
Loblaws Inc. is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
Currently a larger recall involving numerous brand names of French cut green beans manufactured by Lakeside Foods Inc., Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is underway in the United States. Anyone who has or plans to purchase French Cut Green Beans in the U.S. should consult the Food and Drug Administration website at www.fda.gov for a complete list of the recalled products. Code and label information will also be posted on the Lakeside Foods Inc. website www.lakesidefoods.com.
For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:
Loblaws Customer Relations at 1 888-495-5111;
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).