OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 12/03/12 --

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

The public warning issued earlier on December 2, 2012 has been updated to include additional products containing filberts (hazelnuts).

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaw Companies Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the in-shell Mixed Nuts described below because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following mixed nuts, products of USA, are affected by this alert:

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Product                   Size                 UPC
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Mixed Nuts               454 g     6 28721 20678 7
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Mixed Nuts             1.36 kg     0 33383 70401 2
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These products were distributed nationally in Loblaw banners - Real Canadian Super Store, Fortinos, Freshmart, Loblaws, No Frills, Valu-Mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs, Dominion, Red & White, Save Easy, Cash and Carry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Maxi & Cie, Maxi, Presto, Club Entrepot, Provigo, Extra Foods, Shop Easy, Super Valu, Westfair, Affiliated Independents, Quick Mart.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The retailer, Loblaw Companies Ltd., Brampton, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:

Loblaw Customer Relations at 1-800-296-2332 or customerservice@loblaws.ca;

Public Relations Department, Loblaw Companies Limited at (905) 459-2500 or pr@loblaw.ca;

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).

For information on Salmonella, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/salmonellae.shtml.

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA's Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp.

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca. Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/3LB.JPG.