WARNING - HEALTH HAZARD ALERT - Slim-Fast ready-to-drink meal replacement
shake products distributed in Canada may contain Bacillus cereus

OTTAWA , Dec. 3 /CNW/ - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Unilever Canada Inc are advising the public not to consume Slim-Fast ready-to-drink meal replacement shake products described below because they may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus, a micro-organism that may cause vomiting or diarrhea. The probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

The products are packaged in paperboard cartons and contain six steel 325 mL cans.

Individual cans are also sold in certain retail outlets.

The recall involves all Slim-Fast(R) Ready-to-drink meal replacement shake products in cans, regardless of flavour, Best-By date, lot code or UPC number. A listing of all recalled products is attached to this press release.

No other Slim-Fast(R) products are affected by this recall. No Slim-Fast(R) powdered shakes, meal bars, or snack bars are affected by this recall.

The recall was initiated after the company conducted quality testing on Slim-Fast(R) Ready-to-drink meal replacement shake products in cans. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is recalling all Slim-Fast(R) Ready-to-drink meal replacement shake products in cans that are currently in distribution centers, on-shelf or in back rooms in retail outlets or in consumers' homes. The company is in the process of identifying and correcting the production issue, and will resume production and shipment of the product when the issue has been addressed and corrected.

Consumers who have purchased Slim-Fast(R) Ready-to-drink meal replacement shake products in cans are urged to discard them immediately and contact the company at 1-800-896-9479 for a full refund. The Consumer Services Center is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM ET . A recorded message is available 24/7.

The products described below are affected by this alert.

    

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Product                   Size           UPC                 Format
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SLIMFAST STRAWBERRY    6x325ml      0 68400 20042 0     Case of six cans
    RTD SHAKE 4X6X325ML
                           --------------------------------------------------
                            325 mL      0 68400 20043 7     Single serve can

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SLIMFAST CHOCOLATEY    6x325ml      0 68400 20110 6     Case of six cans
    ROYALE  RTD SHAKE
    4X6X325M               --------------------------------------------------
                            325 mL      0 68400 20220 2     Single serve can
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SLIMFAST FRENCH        6x325ml      0 68400 20120 5     Case of six cans
    VANILLA RTD SHAKE
    4X6X325ML              --------------------------------------------------
                            325 mL      0 68400 20230 1     Single serve can
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SLIMFAST CAPPUCCINO    6x325ml      0 68400 36400 9     Case of six cans
    RTD SHAKE 4X6X325ML
                           --------------------------------------------------
                            325 mL      0 68400 36251 7     Single serve can
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

Unilever Canada Inc is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information consumers and industry can call the 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 further information: Media Inquiries: Unilever Canada Inc., Sean McPhee, [phone]; CFIA Office of Food Safety and Recall, Garfield Balsom (English), [phone]; CFIA Office of Food Safety and Recall, Linda LeBlanc (French), [phone]