The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to serve or eat some Maple Leaf deli meat products because they may be contaminated with a literiosis causing bacteria.

The products have been distributed across Canada mainly to food service institutions such as restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes. The meats may also be sold at stores and deli counters.

Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.

Maple Leaf Foods says some of its Sure Slice packaged meats, manufactured at a North York plant  which has been shut down, is being recalled because it may contain low levels of listeria.  The bacteria can cause digestive problems.

Below is a list of products to avoid:

26365, Sliced Cooked Turkey Breast, 470 grams, Sept. 30;
02106, Schneiders Bavarian Smokies, 1 kilogram, Oct. 28;
02126, Schneiders Cheddar Smokies, 1 kilogram, Oct. 28;
21333, Sure Slice Roast Beef, 1 kilogram, Sept. 30;
21388, Sure Slice Combo Pack, 1 kilogram, Sept. 30;
60243, Deli Gourmet Roast Beef slices, 1 kilogram, Sept. 30;
02356, Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef, 500 grams, Oct. 7;
42706, Roast Beef, Seasoned and Cooked, 500 grams, Oct. 7;
21334, Sure Slice Turkey Breast Roast, 1 kilogram, Oct. 14;
21444, Sure Slice Corned Beef, 1 kilogram, Oct. 14;
44938, Montreal Style Corned Beef, 500 grams, Oct. 14;
21440, Sure Slice Black Forest Style Ham, 1 kilogram, Oct. 21;
21447, Sure Slice Salami, 1 kilogram, Oct. 21;
21331, Sliced Smoked Ham, 1 kilogram, Oct, 21;
48019, Deli Shaved Corned Beef, 200 grams, Oct 21;
48020, Schneiders Deli Shaved Smoked Meat, 200 grams, Oct 21;
48016, Deli Shaved Smoked Ham, 200 grams, Oct 21;
48018, Deli Shaved Smoked Turkey Breast,150 grams, Oct 21;
48017, Deli Shaved Fully Cooked Smoked Honey Ham, 200 grams, Oct 21;
21360, Bites Pepperoni, 500 grams, Jan 1, 2009;
99158, Turkey Breast Roast, 1 kilogram, Sept 30;
71330, Roast Beef Cooked, Seasoned, Sept 30;
71331, Corned Beef, Smoked Meat, Sept 30;

The 23 products in the recall carry an establishment number of 97B and have best before dates ranging from September 30 to January 1, 2009.

A number of these products are part of a listeriosis outbreak investigation. They have not been directly linked to human illness but Maple Leaf Consumer Foods has initiated a voluntary recall of the meats.

Contaminated meat may not look or smell spoiled. For more information call Maple Leaf Consumer Foods at 1-800-568-5801.

For more information on Listeria monocytogenes visit the Food Facts web page.