OTTAWA -- The public were warned Wednesday not to consume certain President’s Choice fresh beef products because they might be tainted with E. coli.

President’s Choice steaks, roasts and ground beef with best before dates of April 29 to June 16, 2009 inclusive are affected by this alert, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said.

Affected products were distributed in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada at a number of grocery stores.

The CFIA said the fresh beef products were sold pre-packaged in variable weights as well as from in-store meat counters.

Consumers were being advised to check their freezers and throw out any of the PC beef products.

The CFIA warned that food tainted with E. coli may not look or smell spoiled.

Eating food contaminated with E. coli can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

There have not yet been any reported illnesses in Canada associated with the consumption of these products.