20110415d.jpgYesterday, April 15, 2010, Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel, Inc., a company based in Blainville, Canada, warned the public not to consume certain Summersweet Fine Foods Ltd. products. Summersweet, a leading Canadian Manufacturer and Distributor of packaged foods that has developed business across Canada and the U.S., announced that it was recalling a variety of seafood mousses and dips due to a possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The products subject to the recall include:

  • Smoked Salmon & Spinach Mousse
  • Mousse Smoked Salmon & Spinach
  • Smoked Salmon & Dill Mousse
  • Dip Crab & Roasted Red Pepper
  • Dip Lobster & Shrimp
  • Smoked Salmon & Roasted Artichoke Dip
  • Dip Crab & Three Cheese

According to a press release issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) the products were sold in various sizes at many retail locations throughout Canada. Consumers are urged to bring the products listed above to the store where the item was purchased to obtain a full refund.

Although no reported illnesses have been associated with the consumption of these products, CFIA is closely monitoring the effectiveness of the recall to ensure consumer safety. In 2008, Canada was struck with a severe outbreak of listeriosis traced back to prepackaged deli meats that sickened hundreds and claimed 22 lives.

Listeria is a particularly nasty bug because it is able to thrive even in refrigerated conditions, unlike other bacteria. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria bacteria may cause listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness that can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have noted that certain segments of the population are at greater risk for contracting listeriosis. Specifically, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infection.

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Photo of Claire Mitchell Claire Mitchell

Claire received her J.D. degree from Hofstra University School of Law with a concentration in Energy and the Environment in May 2010. She received her B.A., majoring in English, from Villanova University, magna cum laude. During law school, Claire served as Articles Editor…

Claire received her J.D. degree from Hofstra University School of Law with a concentration in Energy and the Environment in May 2010. She received her B.A., majoring in English, from Villanova University, magna cum laude. During law school, Claire served as Articles Editor for the Hofstra Labor & Employment Law Journal, was elected President of the Legal Emergency Aid Project and elected Treasurer of Hofstra Law Women. She is currently pursuing an LL.M. degree in Food and Agricultural Law at the University of Arkansas School of Law. In August 2010, Claire was selected as the recipient of the Marler Clark Graduate Assistantship, part of a new public/private partnership that will allow the University of Arkansas School of Law to partner with leaders in the food and agricultural legal communities. Although she began the LL.M. Program in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Claire is now living in Seattle in order to devote more time to her work at Marler Clark and is completing her LL.M. degree through distance learning. In addition to her academic and professional commitments, Claire blogs on Food Poison Journal and has been published in the Food and Drug Law Institute’s Update and the American Agricultural Law Association’s Update.