Warning/Health Hazard Alert: Certain Jumbo Green Onions May Contain Salmonella Bacteria

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 13, 2009) - Audio clips available at www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/relations/indexaude.shtml.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Vitale Produce Ltd. are warning consumers not to consume Jumbo Green Onions described below as they have been recalled by the supplier from the USA due to the possible contamination with Salmonella.

The affected Jumbo Green Onions, product of the USA, were sold unwrapped with a rubber band. There is no lot code sticker, UPC or product name on the individual bunch of onions.

The product was imported into Canada by Vitale Produce Ltd. of Windsor, Ontario and sold on or after July 30, 2009 from the following retail stores in the Windsor area:

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Store Address Sold on
or After
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Food Basics 880 Goyeau August 3,
Street, Windsor, ON 2009
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Isaac's Foodtown 6303 Main St, Comber, ON July 30,
2009
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Sanford and
Son Supermarket 77 King Street E, Harrow, ON July 30,
2009
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Stoney Point Supermarket 7034 Tecumseh Road, July 30,
Tecumseh, ON 2009

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Vitale Produce Ltd. 1125 Mercer Street, July 30,
Windsor, ON 2009
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Westside Foods 3242 Sandwich Street, August 6,
Old Town Grocer Windsor, ON 2009
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Although it is likely that the Jumbo Green Onions are now beyond their usable life, the original recall was issued in the possible event some consumers might still have the product in their home refrigerators.

As there is no lot code sticker on the individual bunch of Jumbo Green Onions, consumers are advised to check with their retailer to determine if they have the affected product.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Vitale Produce Ltd., Windsor, ON is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:

Vitale Produce Ltd. at (519) 252-2773;

CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For information on Salmonella, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/salmonellae.shtml

For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.