http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/sto...l.html?ref=rss



Canada's food watchdog and Ivanhoe Cheese Inc. on Wednesday issued a recall of certain cheese products distributed in Ontario because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall affects the following Ivanhoe, Great Canadian and Igbal products with best before dates ranging from Feb. 20 to March 1, 2009:

* Cheddar.
* Marble (Brick and Cheddar).
* Asiago.
* Gouda.
* Swiss.
* Parmesan.
* Mozzarella.
* Havarti.
* Colby.
* Brick.
* Feta.

The cheese products were sold in grocery stores and at deli counters.

No associated illnesses have been reported.

Symptoms of listeriosis include:

* Vomiting.
* Nausea.
* Stomach cramps.
* Diarrhea.
* Severe headache.
* Constipation.
* Persistent fever.
* Stiff neck.
* Loss of balance.
* Convulsions.

People who eat foods contaminated with listeria may carry the bacteria and not develop listeriosis. Those most vulnerable to developing the disease include the elderly, infants and patients with a compromised immune system.

Pregnant women who develop listeriosis in their first trimester are at risk of miscarriage, while women in the later stages of pregnancy are at risk of delivering a stillborn or acutely ill infant.

In response to a separate listeriosis outbreak, Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday promised to launch an independent investigation. The announcement came as officials identified a 13th death directly linked to listeriosis found in meat from a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto.