Both, Johnvince Foods and The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have requested the public to avoid using certain imported sesame seeds in their cooking until further notification, as there is a possibility of the seeds being contaminated with Salmonella.
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Going under the name of Quik Kook White Sesame Seeds, the product has been sold at various retail stores across the three Canadian provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia and Ontario. It is being sold from certain outlets in 8 kg bags with the lot codes 71131, 71141 and 71481. The bags also bear UPC 0 58877 165858 and have been on the market from June 1, 2007
The outlets from where they have so far been distributed are:
1. Johnvince Foods, 555 Steeprock Drive, Downsview in Ontario
2. Sobeys Canada Inc in Ontario
3. Various banners under Loblaws Inc. except No Frills and Cash & Carry, in Ontario.
4. Foodland, 6 Arthur Street, Elmira, Ontario
5. Various banners under Great Atlantic & Pacific Company of Canada Ltd. in Ontario, except Loeb
6. Several independent stores in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reports that any seeds going under this brand and being sold from June 1 could possibly be infected with salmonella.
Those having bought sesame seeds from these places and from this date should contact the source of their purchase to get matters cleared up.
The important thing to remember is that food tainted with Salmonella may not look or smell bad but ingesting the bacteria could lead to salmonellosis, an infection that could have fatal implications.
People with weakened immune systems such as those recovering from infections, elderly people and young children, could be seriously affected by salmonellosis. Although it may not appear to affect healthy people too seriously they could suffer from short-term maladies such as severe headache or high fever, vomiting or nausea, and/or abdominal pain and diarrhea. Severe arthritis could turn out to be a long-term complication.
It may be noted that a parallel warning had been issued less than a month ago but there have been no incidences of illness reported as a result of using this particular product as yet.
If consumers require more information they may contact 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.
