Frozen chicken products recalled due to possible salmonella contamination

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is recalling chicken burgers sold in Atlantic Canada, Ontario and Quebec under its No Name brand because of possible salmonella contamination. (Loblaw Companies Limited)

BRAMPTON, Ont. -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says several frozen uncooked breaded chicken products made by Sofina Foods Inc. are being recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The agency says there have been illnesses associated with eating the products, which include chicken burgers, chicken strips and chicken nuggets.

Loblaw Companies Ltd. is recalling No Name chicken burgers with the UPC 60383116958 and best before date 2016 JA 22 that were distributed in Atlantic Canada, Ontario and Quebec.

The CFIA says the other products being recalled are Compliments chicken strips and chicken nuggets with best before date 2016 JA 22 ESt 374, which have been sold nationally.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause illness and the CFIA says young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.

Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The recall was triggered by findings by a CFIA investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak and the agency says an ongoing food safety investigation may lead to the recall of other products.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said on Sunday that an outbreak of salmonella infections in four provinces was linked to frozen raw breaded chicken products.

The agency said it knew of 44 cases of salmonella illness -- 28 in Ontario, 12 in Quebec, and two each in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador -- and all became sick between Feb. 7 and May 23.

Twelve people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.