Yesterday, 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.