Information Update: Food Safety Measures For Fiddleheads

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, May 27 (MARKET WIRE) --
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are
reminding Canadians that fresh fiddleheads should be properly cooked
before being consumed.

Fiddleheads are the curled, edible shoots of the ostrich fern. They are
collected in the wild and sold as a seasonal vegetable in stores and
outdoor markets.

There have been cases of illnesses in Canada and the U.S. associated with
eating fiddleheads. Scientists believe that the most likely cause for
these illnesses is an unidentified natural toxin in fiddleheads.

Fiddleheads should never be eaten raw. Health Canada and CFIA recommends
that fresh fiddleheads be washed several times in fresh cold water.
Remove as much of the brown husk as possible from the fiddleheads. They
should then be cooked in boiling water for 15 minutes or steamed for 10
to 12 minutes until tender. Water used for boiling or steaming
fiddleheads should be discarded as it may contain the toxin. Fiddleheads
should also be boiled or steamed prior to sauteing, frying or baking.

Symptoms of illness usually begin 30 minutes to 12 hours after eating raw
or undercooked fiddleheads, and may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
abdominal cramps and headaches. Illness generally lasts less than 24
hours. This can result in dehydration, particularly among the elderly and
in infants. There have been no reported cases of illness connected with
eating fully cooked fiddleheads.

Anyone experiencing the above symptoms after consuming fiddleheads should
seek the advice of a health care professional and contact their local
public health unit.

It is estimated that there are approximately 11 million cases of
food-related illnesses in Canada every year. Many of these illnesses
could be prevented by following proper food handling and preparation
techniques.

For more information on food safety tips and fiddleheads, please visit:

Government of Canada's Food Safety for Fiddleheads
(http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/kitchen-cuisine/fiddlehead-fougere-eng.php

Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education's Be Food Safe Canada
Campaign (www.befoodsafe.ca)

Egalement disponible en francais

Contacts:
Media Inquiries:
Health Canada
613-957-2983

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
613-773-6600

Public Inquiries:
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709

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