Food expert available to speak on Hershey recall

November 13, 2006

Source: University of Western Ontario
http://communications.uwo.ca/media_newsroom/story.html?listing_id=22286

Len Piche, a professor at Brescia University College at The University of Western Ontario, specializes in Canada's Food Guide, food labeling and childhood obesity. He can be reached at 519-432-8353 ext. 28284 or lpiche@uwo.ca and comments:

"The apparent issue seems to be the possible contamination of the products from an 'externally sourced ingredient' with Salmonella bacteria, the type we normally associate with food poisoning from contaminated poultry at times like Thanksgiving, Christmas. I'm glad to see that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is on top of it, and that a toll free number and product date codes have been provided in the media.

That way, those who may have purchased any of the recalled products would be able to identify them and keep the packaging so that they can be reimbursed by the company. I was also happy to see that, so far, no illnesses have been reported and that Christmas candy was not included in the recall. Just the same, the public might want to check the codes on any chocolate candy they may have bought that they intended as birthday or Christmas gifts."

Media contact: Jeff Renaud, Communications & Public Affairs, 519-661-2111, ext. 85165.

Commentary reflects the perspective and scholarly interest of Western faculty members and is not an articulation of official university policy on issues being addressed.