The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Thomas Bros. Farm Market issued a public health warning, asking consumers to not eat a certain variety of fresh shelled peas because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The fresh shelled peas were sold from Thomas Bros. Farm Market located at 5856 Colonel Talbot Road, London, Ontario on June 27, 2012. The packages do not bear a label identifying the store name or other information.

There have been no reports of illness, but consumers who have this fresh product in their homes or may have frozen it are advised not to consume it.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, however, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

Anyone concerned about the above symptoms should contact their health care provider.
The manufacturer, Thomas Bros. Farm Market, London, ON is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

CFIA recalls can be found here.

To receive Canadian recalls by e-mail, visit the government’s website.