Botulism Crab
Toronto - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning consumers not to eat certain brands of canned crab meat that may be contaminated with botulism.
“Phillips Foods Inc.” pasteurized crab meats are affected.
The crab meat is a product of Indonesia and has only been distributed in Canada.
So far, no illnesses have been reported.
Botulism-tainted food may not look or smell spoiled, but can be deadly.
The following Phillips brand products of Indonesia packed in 440 gram drained weight cans are affected by this alert:
- Claw Crab Meat UPC 0 70057 00601 0
- Jumbo Lump Crab Meat UPC 0 70057 00603 4
- Colossal Lump Crab Meat UPC 0 70057 00602 7
- Special Crab Meat UPC 0 70057 00605 8
- Backfin Crab Meat UPC 0 70057 00604 1
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 importer, Export Packers Company Limited, Brampton, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:
Export Packers Company Limited
John Harris (Western Manager) 778-229-5020
Mark Tytel (Ontario Manager) 416-587-4010
Florence Tang (QA Manager) 905-792-9700 x266 / 647-297-1852
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 www.inspection.gc.ca.
