OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 10/12/12 --

Product photos are available at http://bit.ly/Qnvj1D.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume certain Fresh Express brand Hearts of Romaine salad because this product may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.

The affected product, Fresh Express brand Hearts of Romaine salad, Product of U.S.A., is sold in 510 g (18 oz.) packages, bearing UPC 0 71279 26201 7, production code S270A24, and Best Before Date OCT 11.

This product has been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. However, it may have been distributed to other provinces and territories.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

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 CFIA is working with the Canadian importers to remove the affected product 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 information on Salmonella, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/consumer-centre/food-safety-tips/food-poisoning/salmonella/eng/1332781237334/1332781591310.

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.