The Dec. 8th story in Food Safety News on the warnings issued about certain cream cheese products erroneously reported that E. coli O157:H7 contamination was somehow involved.

The concern the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the manufacturer–Western Creamery–has about the cream cheese involves only possible Salmonella contamination, which was also reported in the same story.

“We made an inadvertent error by dropping an E coli reference into this story and we deeply regret the confusion it may have caused,” a Food Safety News spokesman said.

Western Creamery’s original precautionary recall was initiated after routine tests from one cream cheese container tested positive for Salmonella.

The CFIA expanded warning covers Canadian Cream Cheese Spread, Nacho Dip, Nachos with Dip, and Nachos with Salsa Party Tray made by Western Creamery.  Those joined Western’s original and light cream cheeses on the recall list.

The recalled cream cheese products were sold at deli counters or the clerk-served units of ten stores from Nov 25 to Dec. 4, 2009 in various weights.  Most sales were at Loblaw, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, Fortinos, and Zehrs.

The CFIA is continuing its investigation to identify other retail locations where the affected Cream cheese may have been sold. Consumers are advised to contact the retailer if they are unsure whether the Cream Cheese product they have is affected.

No illnesses have been associated with the cream cheese products.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness.

In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The manufacturer and various retailers are voluntarily recalling the affected cream cheese products from the marketplace. CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the 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).