The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume raw beef sold last August 6 by North York, Ontario-based Kabul Farms.

The beef may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

All cuts of raw beef, including but not limited to tenderloin, beef chunks and ground beef, sold on Aug. 6, 2010 from Kabul Farms retail store located at 40 Beverley Hills Drive in North York, Ontario, are affected by this alert. 

These beef products were wrapped at the store for sale on demand and may not bear a label indicating packing date, lot code, or a Best Before date. 

Consumers are advised to check their home refrigerator or freezer if they have the affected beef products.

The CFIA said it is aware of an E. coli O157:H7 illness outbreak in Ontario and is collaborating with its partners.

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC), Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), Health Canada, and various health units in the Greater Toronto Area are investigating the E. coli outbreak in the Ontario area that may be linked to this alert.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled, CFIA said. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria my cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

 

Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

For more information, consumers and industry can call 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).