CFIA
Chicken products are recalled, while E. coli contamination concerns prompt another recall by a different company. 
 
OTTAWA, Ontario – Sofina Foods Inc., London, Ontario, is recalling its Janes brand frozen uncooked breaded chicken products on concerns ofSalmonellacontamination, while the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) investigate an outbreak of
SalmonellaEnteritidis illnesses linked to uncooked breaded chicken products.

A public health notice on the Public Health Agency of Canada website said 13 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses were reported in four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Four individuals were hospitalized.

“Based on the investigation findings to date, exposure to frozen raw breaded chicken products has been identified as a source of illness,” the agency said. The illnesses occurred between June and August.

As part of the investigation, Sofina Foods launched a recall of:

  • Janes Pub Style Chicken Burgers – Uncooked Breaded Chicken Burgers in 800g packages with UPC of 0 69299 12491 0 2018 MA 12; and
  • Janes Pub Style Snacks Popcorn Chicken – Uncooked Breaded Chicken Cutlettes in packages weighing 800g bearing UPC 0 69299 12491 0 2018 MA 12.

CFIA is verifying that affected products have been removed from store shelves. The agency also advised consumers to discard or return recalled products to the store where they were purchased.

Salmonella Enteritidis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections, especially in young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The CFIA also is conducting a food safety investigation of mechanically tenderized steaks for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

Vantage Foods Inc., Belleville, Ontario, launched a recall of mechanically tenderized steak products that were sold in Food Basics supermarkets in Ontario. CFIA said there have been no reported illnesses associated with consumption of the recalled products.

The affected items include:

  • Food Basics Mechanically Tenderized Hip Steak in variable sizes with UPC starting with 0 211030 and bearing Best Before 2017OC17; and
  • Food Basics Mechanically Tenderized Steak FP in variable sizes with UPC starting with 0 224015 and bearing Best Before 2017OC17

Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection can include nausea, vomiting, mild to severe abdominal cramps and watery to bloody diarrhea. Some people may have seizures or strokes, need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis or live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.