Woodbridge-based Ravine Mushroom Farms Inc. is voluntarily recalling Fresh Obsessions brand Ready To Serve Pre-washed Sliced White Mushrooms because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Ravine Mushroom Farms and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are warning the public not to consume the pre-sliced mushrooms, which were distributed in Ontario in 227-gram (8-ounce) packages marked with UPC 0 69200 00902 2 and lot code R12398.

So far, there have been no reports of people getting sick from consuming this product.

According to the CFIA, food contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria may not look or smell spoiled, but eating tainted food may cause listeriosis, an illness that can lead to high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea.

Most at risk are pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, the CFIA says. The disease may manifest itself in pregnant women as only mild, flu-like symptoms, but can lead to premature birth, infection of the baby or stillbirth.

After consuming contaminated food, it can take up to 70 days for the onset of listeriosis symptoms to occur, the Public Health Agency of Canada says.

Though not connected, the Ravine Mushroom Farms Listeria scare comes amid the listeriosis outbreak in several provinces linked to recalled Maple Leaf Foods meat products.

For more information on the Ravine Mushroom Farms recall, call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342. To learn more about the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, visit www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/listeriae.shtml.

Vaughan Today
In print: September 5, 2008, page 3
Online: September 5, 2008 [link]