OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 12/15/12 -- The public warning issued on December 13, 2012 has been updated to include additional products.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaw Companies Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the Butcher's Choice Beef Burgers described below because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.

Loblaw Companies Ltd.,Brampton, Ontario is voluntarily recalling all product codes from the marketplace as a precautionary measure.

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Product                                            Size                 UPC
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Butcher's Choice Hickory Barbecue Beef                                     
 Burgers                                        1.13 KG     0 60383 89364 4
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Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef                                    
 Burgers                                        1.13 KG     0 60383 89363 7
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These products have been distributed nationally.

This recall is the result of E. coli O157:H7 product testing by the CFIA related to an ongoing outbreak investigation. The CFIA is currently testing additional products collected from across the country. The recall may be further updated to include other products as test results are received. In addition, the CFIA is conducting an investigation at the producing facility, which could lead to the recall of more products.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

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; or

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 E. coli O157:H7, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/ecolie.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.