Recall of Milk Products - Powassan

LOCAL RECALL OF MILK PRODUCTS

Medical Officer of the Health, Dr. Catherine Whiting, has issued a local food recall of milk products sold from the Kwik-Way Variety Store, 497 Main Street, Powassan. The milk products affected are those sold in plastic bags from May 13 to May 18, inclusive. This precautionary recall is due to reported cases of illness which may be related to the consumption of milk products sold from this location.

Milk products in plastic bags purchased from the Kwik-Way store from May 13 to 18 are to be thrown away and not consumed. Milk products from other stores or locations have not been implicated in this food recall.

Customers who have consumed these milk products and may have experienced a bad chemical taste and have symptoms of nausea or vomiting, are asked to report this to the health unit by calling 474-1400 and ask to speak to the public health inspector.

Testing of milk products seized from this location is being conducted by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to determine the nature of the contaminant. An investigation is currently being conducted by public health inspectors to determine how the milk products became contaminated.

Q: What store is affected?
A: Kwik-way Variety Store.
Location: 467 Main Street, Powassan

Q: What products from the Kwik-way could be affected?
A: Milk in plastic bags.

Q: Could I have contaminated milk?
A: Only those milk products purchased from the Kwik-way (467 Main St.
Powassan, ON) are at this time included in our investigation.

Q: Why is the product being recalled?
A: The quality of the milk at the above mentioned Kwik-way has been suspected to be contaminated during storage. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has been notified of suspected illness in the community which may have been related to milk products sold at the Kwik-way Variety store and is now conducting a local recall to ensure the public is notified of the potential risk associated with these products.

Q: Who is affected by this recall?
A: Those persons who purchased milk from the Kwik-way in Powassan May 13th to May 18th, 2006 inclusively.

Q: Have there been reports of illness associated with the contaminated milk?
A: Yes. The NBPSDHU has received reports of illness from those who had detected a bad chemical taste in their mouth after drinking the milk.

Q: What symptoms have been reported?
A: Stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhea and vomiting.

Note: Traditionally, symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting are not associated with volatile chemical contamination. Generally, the introduction a volatile like chemical into a product such as milk lead to an altered taste and indigestion.


For more information, call the Health Unit at (705) 474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808.