June 6, 2008

Advice to Consumers

Update: OUTBREAK OF SALMONELLA SAINTPAUL IN THE UNITED STATES

Ottawa, June 6, 2008 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) are continuing to follow an outbreak investigation by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) into recent illnesses caused by Salmonella saint Paul that may be associated with certain types of uncooked, fresh tomatoes consumed in the United States.

CFIA and PHAC want to inform Canadians that both the FDA and the CDC have updated their respective websites to provide on-going information about their investigation. In particular, the FDA has updated their website to include a list of tomatoes that are not associated with the U.S. outbreak. The list is being updated as new information becomes available and can be viewed at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html

The current situation in Canada remains unchanged from the Government of Canada advisory issued on June 3, 2008. Consumers should be aware that tomatoes grown in Canada have not been implicated in the U.S. investigation. There continues to be no illnesses reported in Canada linked to the U.S. outbreak.

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).

For information on Salmonella, visit the Food Facts webpage at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/causee.shtml

For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other food safety facts, visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

Media enquiries:

For information:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media relations: (613) 228-6682

Public Health Agency of Canada
Media Relations: (613) 948-0879

Previous updates:
July 23: Advice to Consumers: Update of Salmonella Saintpaul situation in North America 
July 18: Advice to Consumers: Update of Salmonella Saintpaul situation in North America 
July 17: Advice to Consumers: Update of Salmonella Saintpaul situation in Canada 
July 11: Advice to Consumers: Update of Salmonella Saintpaul situation in Canada 
July 7: Advice to Consumers: Update of Salmonella Saintpaul situation in Canada 
June 8: Advice to Consumers: Outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul in the United States