A food importer is voluntarily recalling Marcella's Garden brand olives from stores across Canada saying the products may contain clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism.
Excelsior Foods says the olives possibly containing the potentially deadly bacteria were distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia.
The product was sold in 600-millilitre plastic tubs with a best-before date of July 31, 2007.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is involved in the investigation but so far no reported illnesses have been linked to the olives.
Experts warn that food contaminated with the bacteria may not look or smell spoiled.
In severe cases, botulism can be fatal. Otherwise, it can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis.
The affected products include:
- Baresana Olives, lot 009/6, UPC 0 62136 90067 8.
- Calabrese Olives, lot 012/6, UPC 0 62136 90070 8.
- Cerignola Olives, lot 011/6, UPC 0 62136 90069 2.
- Jumbo Stuffed Olives, lot 011/9, UPC 0 62136 90071 5.
- Kalamata Olives, lot 005/6, UPC 0 62136 90066 1.
- Nocellara Olives, lot 010/6, UPC 0 62136 90068 5.
