Canada Safeway recalls burgers due to possible E. coli contamination
Canada Safeway Limited is voluntarily recalling several burger products after Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) testing revealed the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in ongoing outbreak investigation, according to a CFIA health hazard alert Feb. 19.
The affected items include five products from The Gourmet Meat Shoppe and The Butcher’s Cut brands of Frozen Beef Burgers (see link for product details).
Canadian food safety officials say the affected products were distributed in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Northwest Territories.
Symptoms of the diseases caused by E.coli O157:H7 include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that may in some cases progress to bloody diarrhea.
The infection may lead to a life-threatening disease, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is characterized by acute renal failure, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. It is estimated that up to 10% of patients with E.coli infection may develop HUS, with a case-fatality rate ranging from 3% to 5%.
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