Canada-Meat Recall.

CANADA-ANOTHER MEAT RECALL.

Health Canada is warning that ground beef sold by two Winnipeg grocers may be contaminated with E. coli.

The federal agency has issued a health hazard alert for five ground beef products sold at Dakota Family Foods at 1099 St. Mary’s Rd. and Family Foods at 1881 Portage Ave.

No illnesses have been reported in relation to the meat, according to Health Canada.

A spokesman for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said routine sampling led to the discovery of the potentially tainted meat. The source of the contamination is known, but is not part of the public disclosure process, the spokesman said, declining to reveal the source.

The meat in question is regular and lean ground beef packaged between March 2 and 9 at Dakota Family Foods and regular, lean and extra lean ground beef packaged between March 3 and 9 at Family Foods. The grocers are voluntarily recalling the meat.

Health Canada warns the meat may not look or smell bad, but may still contain the potentially life-threatening bacteria.

E. coli can cause kidney damage, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea or even seizures, strokes and death.

Health Canada says symptoms of E. coli poisoning can take up to 10 days to materialize after the bacteria has been ingested. Cooking the meat -- to a temperature of at least 160 F, according to Health Canada -- will kill the bacteria, although it can still be spread during preparation and handling.