Canadian Health Officials Announce Foodborne Illness Recall, Could Have US Implications

Ottawa, ONA foodborne illness recall originating from Canada is always a concern in the summer months given the migration of vacationers across borders. Economic challenges have caused more people to scale back grandiose vacation plans, resulting in more day trips and holidaying a bit closer to home. That's when a food recall can haunt you: purchase food while on holiday in a foreign land and suddenly you have food poisoning.

That is indeed the concern originating from Canada after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) warned that products manufactured and distributed by Sprouts Alive may contain Salmonella.

According to the health alert issued August 19, Sprouts Alive Baby Onion Sprouts and Sprouts Alive Alfalfa & Onion Sprouts may contain Salmonella and are being voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer, Living Foods Ltd. of Innisfail, Alberta.

The CFIA reports there has been illness associated with the products, although there was no information available pertaining to the number of people involved and the severity of the illness.

The products were distributed primarily in Alberta, but may have also been shipped to BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Vacationers driving up from US states immediately to the south may have purchased the products while on the road.

The two products have similar UPC codes. Sprouts Alive Baby Onion Sprouts in the 70 gram (2 oz) size bear the UPC code 0 69022 00032 0, while the 130 gram package of Alfalfa & Onion Sprouts bear the UPC code 0 69022 00039 9

There are also 'best before' dates that apply to the two products, as follows: "Best Before dd mm yy", "EX mmm dd yy", or "EX mm dd yy". For example, a best before date of August 28, 2009 could appear as "Best Before 28 AU 09", "EX AUG 28 09", or "EX 08 28 09".

Salmonella is a bacteria that may cause such short-term symptoms in healthy individuals as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis. Such symptoms can certainly disrupt an otherwise pleasant vacation.

The greater concern, however, is the potential for serious health implications for young children, the elderly or individuals with weakened immune systems. For them, salmonellosis can lead to serious infections and even death.

Further, Salmonella represents an odorless, colorless foodborne illness that could lead to food poisoning without the individual realizing. Thus, the food recall and related concern.