A recall on products containing raw pork was expanded Sept. 6 to include two more Alberta businesses.
Trimming Fresh Meats, based in northwest Calgary, is recalling product sold between July 15 and 22 due to possible contamination with E. coli 0157:H7, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Hiep Hoa Asian Food, based in southwest Calgary, is also recalling products sold between July 15 and 29 and between Aug. 14 and 17.
The companies may have sold product obtained from V&T Meat Wholesale, based in Chestermere, Alta., or from Hiep Thanh Trading in Edmonton. Those two businesses announced recalls Sept. 4 on products containing raw pork that were sold between July 14 and Sept. 2.
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In addition, the CFIA said Sept. 5 that frozen pork spring rolls, pork buns and pork wontons sold at Vinh Fat Food Products in Edmonton had also been recalled.
The recall in all cases applies only to Alberta.
Consumers unsure of the source of products containing raw pork should check with the retailers where the products were purchased.
Consumers, food service companies, retailers, distributors and manufacturers who purchased raw pork products from the two companies should not use or sell them due to possible contamination, the CFIA advised.
The meat should be thrown out or returned to point of purchase.
The recall was triggered by the E. coli foodborne illness outbreak investigation undertaken by Alberta Health Services after a spate of E. coli-related illnesses were reported this summer.
Since July 15, 153 cases of illness related to E. coli 0157:H7 have been confirmed by AHS. Of those, 76 are in Calgary, 53 in Edmonton and 11 in the southern zone. The north and central zones had seven and six cases of illness, respectively.
The CFIA said it and AHS are analyzing the pork in question to see if it is linked to those illnesses.
“The health of Albertans is our priority,” said Alberta chief medical officer Dr. James Talbot.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners to investigate the source of the E. coli outbreak. We encourage Albertans to pay close attention to the recall of these products and to practice safe food handling and preparation practices.”
E. coli 0157:H7 can cause nausea, vomiting, mild to severe stomach cramps and watery diarrhea. In severe cases, it can cause seizures, strokes and kidney damage, and it can be fatal.
