CANADIAN firms recalls frozen chicken entrees for possible listeria contamination

04.mar.08
USDA

Inovata Foods, an Edmonton, Alberta firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 3,780 pounds of frozen chicken entrées that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.
The following product is subject to recall:
12-ounce packages of "Discover Cuisine ™ Red Curry Chicken & Jasmine Rice." Each package bears the Canadian establishment number "Est. 302" inside the Canadian Food Inspection Agency mark of inspection as well as a "Best By" date of "12 18 08."
The frozen chicken entrees were produced on Oct. 18, 2007, and were exported to the United States and then sent to distributors and retail establishments nationwide.
The problem was discovered through FSIS microbiological sampling. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy.
Media and consumers with questions about the recall should contact company Chief Operating Officer Bob McColl at (780) 454-8665.
Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to
4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.