HEALTH HAZARD ALERT

TEHINA REAL MEDITERRANEAN MAY CONTAIN SALMONELLA BACTERIA

OTTAWA, May 31, 2009 - OTTAWA, May 31, 2009 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Tehina Real Mediterranean because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The affected product is sold in 500 g plastic bottles bearing lot code EXP28/12/2010 and UPC 7 290010 304011. Other than the product name ("Tehina Real Mediterranean") and serving instructions, all other label information is in Hebrew and Arabic.

This product has been distributed in Quebec.

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 diarrhoea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The importer, Épices Gan Eden 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: Shani Lugasi of Épices Gan Eden at 514-571-4241; or

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.

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Media enquiries:

CFIA Media Relations
613-773-6600