Canadians who bought packs of Compliments brand Sensations Old-Style Smoked Ham are being warned by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency not to eat it, because it might be contaminated with listeria.
The affected product was sold in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. The ham was sold in 175 gram packages with a best before date of Nov. 13, 2011. The packages have UPC codes that read: 6 23682 10628 2, and a lot code of 230 87.
The manufacturer, Les Cuisines Gaspesiennes de Matane Ltee of Matane, Quebec, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with eating this product.
The CFIA reminds consumers that food contaminated with listeria may not look or smell spoiled. But contaminated food can cause listeriosis, which will bring on high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Symptoms can come on anytime between three and 70 days after exposure to the bacteria.
Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk when infected with listeria. In them, the bacteria can move out of the gastrointestinal tract and into the spinal cord, leading to meningitis.
The duration of the illness varies, depending on its severity.
