Canadian Company Recalls Ground Veal

March 8, 2009

New Zealand Lamb (Etobicoke, ON) has recalled ground veal that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, according to a Health Hazard Alert issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. There have been no illnesses associated with this recall.

The ground veal – described as follows – was distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

• Lean Ground Veal (approx. 0.5 Kg packages): UPC #0 284112 505596; Beset Before 09 MAR 8 (March 8, 2009); Canada Establishment Number 429
  

Based on the indicated Establishment Number, the ground veal was prepared for New Zealand Lamb by Donald's Fine Foods (also doing business as Britco Pork Inc.) of Richmond, BC.

E. coli O157:H7 infections often produce dysentery-like disease symptoms, including bloody diarrhea. The pathogen is especially dangerous when the victim is a child or an elderly person. Approximately 5-10% of children who are infected with E. coli O157:H7 develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially deadly complication with a 5-10% mortality rate. Survivors of HUS are at risk of long-term chronic diseases, including impaired kidney function.

Consumers should always take the precaution of cooking ground meats until "well done"; that is, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat indicates that the temperature has reached 160ºF.

Please discard the recalled Lean Ground Veal in a secure manner, out of reach of children or pets, or return it to the store for a refund. For more information on this recall, contact CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 during normal business hours (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM EDT, Monday through Friday).