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TORONTO - Maple Leaf Foods announced Aug. 23 that it voluntarily expanded its recall of products manufactured at its Bartor Road (Establishment No. 97B) facility in Toronto, as a precautionary measure.

As part of the recall, PEI-based Atlantic Prepared Foods Ltd., voluntarily pulled sandwiches from store shelves in the Maritimes because they may contain meat from the Bartor Rd. facility.

The Irving, Sub Delicious and Needs brand sandwiches were being sold in stores in NB, PEI and Nova Scotia, though there had yet to be any reported cases of illness connected to the ready-made sandwiches.

Atlantic Sobeys stores also voluntarily added a list of various ready-to-eat deli meat products including trays, platters, sandwiches, subs and wraps to the recall, which also covers Foodland outlets.

A Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Public Health Agency of Canada investigation concluded that the strain of Listeria bacteria, which is linked to the illness and death of several consumers, matches the Listeria strain identified in some Maple Leaf food products in at least two cases.

"From our standpoint this is the right thing to do. If there is any question in the consumers' mind about any product from that plant, then the onus is on us, and the CFIA, to act decisively and swiftly to restore consumer confidence," said Michael H. McCain, president and CEO, Maple Leaf Foods in a release.

"Our actions are guided by putting public health first."

Symptoms of Listeriosis are flu-like and may include: nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, headache, constipation and a persistent fever. Symptoms usually appear within two to 30 days, but can remain dormant up to 70 days after consuming contaminated food.

There is no evidence of Listeria contamination in product beyond the two production lines originally under investigation.

However, Maple Leaf Foods decided, given current information, to place public health interests first and recall 100 per cent of all the product produced at this facility.

A list of specific products and codes of the affected products is available at www.mapleleaf.com or www.inspection.gc.ca. under Hot Topics.