Health Hazard Alert - Botulism in Olivier brand Parmesan & Asiago Dip with Garlic & Basil

HEALTH HAZARD ALERT - OLIVIER BRAND PARMESAN & ASIAGO DIP WITH GARLIC & BASIL MAY CONTAIN DANGEROUS BACTERIA

OTTAWA, February 5, 2008 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Olivier brand Parmesan & Asiago Dip with Garlic & Basil described below because the product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by this bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

Information on the original recall of this product in the USA can be accessed at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/olivier01_08.html

Olivier brand Parmesan & Asiago Dip with Garlic & Basil is sold in 11.76 oz. (335 g) jars, manufactured by Olivier Napa Valley Inc., Saint Helena, California. The following lot codes are affected by this alert:

OPA 34171
OPA 23471
OAP 17271
OAP 17671
OAP 36061
OAP 36161
OPA 33961

The lot code information is located on the side of the glass jar where there is no label.

This product is known to have been distributed through Williams-Sonoma retail stores in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. However, it may have been distributed through other retail stores across Canada.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with the toxin may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The US distributor, Williams-Sonoma Inc., San Francisco, California, 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 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 Clostridium botulinum, visit the Food Facts web page 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.

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Shashi Kulkarni (English)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Food Recall and Emergency Response
613-368-1622

Linda LeBlanc (French)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Food Recall and Emergency Response
613-760-4112