Certain Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef Burgers may contain E. coli O157:H7 bacteria

Report a Concern
Starting date:
December 12, 2012
Type of communication:
Recall
Alert sub-type:
Health Hazard Alert
Subcategory:
Microbiological - E. coli O157:H7
Hazard classification:
Class 1
Source of recall:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Recalling firm:
Loblaw Companies Ltd.
Distribution:
National
Extent of the product distribution:
Retail

Advisory details

Ottawa, December 12, 2012 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaw Companies Ltd. are warning the public not to consume certain Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef Burgers because this product may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The affected product, Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef Burgers, is sold frozen in 1.13 kg packages bearing UPC 0 60383 89363 7. The affected product bears the code BEST BEFORE 2013 MR 03 EST 752.

This recall is the result of an ongoing investigation into a number of E. coli O157:H7 related illnesses in Canada. The CFIA is currently testing additional products collected from across the country. The recall may be expanded to include other codes or products as test results are received.

Loblaw Companies Ltd., Brampton, Ontario 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:

Loblaw Customer Relations at 1-800-296-2332 or customerservice@presidentschoice.ca;

Public Relations Department, Loblaw Companies Limited at (905) 459-2500 or pr@loblaw.ca;

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).

Affected products

Affected products
Brand name Common name Size Code(s) on product UPC
Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef Burgers 1.13 kg BEST BEFORE 2013 MR 03 EST 752 0 60383 89363 7

Media enquiries

CFIA Media Relations
613-773-6600

For more information

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria my cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die. Fact Sheet: E. coli O157:H7 Food Safety Facts
For more information, consumers and industry can call the 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) or by filling out the online feedback form.