Whole Foods Market product recalls linked to U.S. salmonella outbreak: CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled certain salsa, guacamole and prepared food products

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall of some Whole Foods Market brand products, saying they've been linked to a salmonella outbreak in the U.S.

Various guacamoles, pico de gallos, salsas and prepared foods it says were distributed in Ontario stores and online are part of the 22-item recall list issued Thursday.

CFIA says there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products in Canada, but urges anyone who thinks they may have become sick from consuming a recalled product to contact their health-care provider.

More than 300 cases in U.S.

The agency says the recall is associated with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) investigation of salmonella illnesses related to jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors.

The FDA says at least 345 people have fallen ill across the U.S. Officials say 36 hospitalizations are linked to the outbreak, with no recorded deaths.

A Public Health Agency of Canada spokesperson told CBC News in an email that the agency continually monitors outbreaks of enteric illnesses such as salmonella, and it is not currently investigating any salmonella illnesses associated with the U.S. outbreak.

A CFIA spokesperson told CBC News in an email last Thursday that, "at this time, there is no evidence that products implicated in this outbreak were distributed in Canada."

Food may not look or smell spoiled: CFIA

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that makes people sick with salmonellosis, an intestinal tract infection.

People most frequently get salmonella infections by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces that contains salmonella bacteria.

CFIA says food contaminated with salmonella may not look or smell spoiled, but can still make you sick.

Healthy people may experience fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, while young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and potentially deadly infections, according to CFIA.

People usually begin to exhibit symptoms between six hours and six days after they are infected, and the symptoms can last between four to seven days, according to the CDC.

With files from Jillian Kestler-D'Amours