Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Mariposa Meats issuing a public warning have asked for ham products distributed in Ontario to be recalled, as they could be contaminated with listeria.

According to the federal agency, the only product affected by the recall is Old Style brand's Thin Sliced Honey Ham that is sold in 450-gram packages with a best-before date of 17th November 2008 and UPC symbol 6 28292 50001 7.

Mississauga, Ont. based Mariposa Meats voluntarily recalled the product distributed exclusively through Price Chopper stores in Ontario, even though no illnesses associated with the recalled product have been reported, so far.

However, the recall is important as CFIA advises against consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria that cause listeria, a food borne illness that raises the health risk for pregnant women, the elderly and people whose immune system is weak. Some Listeriosis symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea.