Black Forest ham sandwich sold in Quebec recalled due to Listeria

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a recall Saturday for a Black Forest ham sandwich due to possible microbial contamination by Listeria monocytogenes. 

The sandwich, sold under the Cuisine Fraicheur Urbaine brand, was distributed in Quebec in 179-gram packages, with product code 0 639725 401603 and a best before date of April 16, 2025. 

The agency warns that food contaminated with the bacteria might not look or smell spoiled but can lead to illness if ingested.

Symptoms of the food-borne illness include "vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headaches and neck stiffness," the agency wrote in a news release.

Those most at risk include people with weakened immune systems, the elderly and pregnant woman. 

According to the CFIA, pregnant woman might only experience mild symptoms, "but the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn of stillbirth."

The illness caused by the bacteria can in some cases become sever and lead to death.

WATCH |Were food recalls becoming more frequent in 2024? 

Are food recalls in Canada becoming more common?

6 months ago

Duration 6:20

A string of product recalls, including some involving E. coli, Listeria and salmonella, has sparked concerns about food safety. Lawrence Goodridge, director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety at the University of Guelph, says the data doesn’t indicate an increase in recalls but adds the pandemic did cause some disruptions in food safety.

People who think they may have gotten sick after eating the recalled sandwich should consult a medical professional.

Recalled products should not be eaten but can be returned to their point of purchase or thrown out.