After two deaths and 15 hospitalizations, another Canadian resident has died from the Listeria illness after the Public Health Agency of Canada recalled plant-based beverages from the brand’s Silk and Great Value. The products were made from almonds, oats, cashews and coconuts, with best-before dates ranging from September to October 2024. Recently enoki mushrooms, salad kits and bean dip were recalled due to potential contaminations however, none of these foods led to confirmed cases.
Listeriosis or Listeria is a food-borne bacterial illness caused by consuming milk or deli meat products that have failed to be processed properly and have traces of Listeria monocytogenes. For most people, the infection could only cause diarrhea-like symptoms, however, the bacteria could also cause meningitis and/or blood poisoning for those with a weaker immune system. In some cases, the disease could be fatal to unborn babies, causing miscarriages, stillborns or premature births. The Canadian government has reported that more than half of confirmed cases are women over the age of 50, with 13 in the province of Ontario, 5 in Quebec, 1 in Nova Scotia and 1 in Alberta.
The product recall was announced on July 8, 2024, however, a smaller outbreak happened in Canada in August 2023. Questions began circulating around why it took nearly a year for products to be withdrawn from shelves. A spokesperson from the Public Health Agency of Canada commented that it was only in June when a provincial investigation was launched that the connection was made. The beverages were being produced at Jorki Inc; a third-party packaging facility used by Danone Canada in Pickering, Ontario. Both companies have been actively involved in the investigation with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Frédéric Guichard, president of Danone Canada posted on Instagram that they have “Doubled down on [their] testing protocols across all Silk refrigerated beverage facilities and warehouses”.
Keith Warriner from Guelph University spoke to CBC News about the contaminations. He stated that outbreaks are usually caused when there is an error in the plant’s sanitation practices. Manufacturers test for bacteria by sending samples to a lab, however, many provinces don’t have the proper facilities, which causes a delay in receiving the results. By the time the results return, many of the products have already been shipped to stores. The CFIA expects more illnesses to be reported, as there is a gap between when a person falls ill, and when it is reported to the health officials.
Unfortunately for Canadian citizens, this is not the first time products have been recalled due to this bacteria. In 2008, listeria was found in cold-cut meats produced by Maple Leaf Foods and took the lives of 22 people. Recently, the disease has started to cause concern in the United State of America, as it was previously found in deli meat from Boar Heads and hospitalized 43 people across 13 states, which led to multiple lawsuits for the company.
Top doctors across the country have advised the public to avoid products linked to listeria and take the proper precautions to prevent the disease. This could be done by avoiding foods like raw meat or soft cheeses and ensuring organics are properly washed and sanitized. If you believe you have come in contact with listeria, the CFIA urges you to contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Written by Suriya Rampersad
