OTTAWA,
ON, July 30, 2024 /CNW/ -
Update
This outbreak investigation is ongoing. The public health notice
will be updated as the investigation evolves.
At a glance
Do not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute various recalled
plant-based refrigerated beverages
Illnesses
|
18
|
Provinces and
territories with
illnesses (number of illnesses)
|
- Alberta (1)
- Ontario (12)
- Quebec (4)
- Nova Scotia (1)
|
Hospitalizations
|
13
|
Deaths
|
2
|
Gender
|
72% female
|
Age
range
|
7-89
67% of cases are 50
years of age or older
|
Food
Recall
|
Yes, various Silk and
Great Value brand plant-based
refrigerated beverages recalled nationally
|
Investigation
status
|
Active
|
Recalled food
Food recall warnings have been issued for plant-based
refrigerated beverages from:
For more information on the recalled products, please consult
the Canadian Food inspection Agency (CFIA) recall notice on the
Government of Canada Recalls and Safety Alerts website.
Food recall warning: Various Silk and Great Value brand
plant-based refrigerated beverages recalled due to Listeria
monocytogenes
How to protect your health
Listeriosis is a foodborne bacterial illness that can affect
anyone exposed to a contaminated food product, including the
recalled products.
While healthy individuals can fall ill from
a Listeria infection, the disease can be fatal for
unborn babies, newborns, individuals over age 60, and those with
weakened immune systems.
The following advice applies to individuals across Canada:
- Check to see if you have recalled products in your homes or
establishment by looking for the specific product name and size,
UPC and codes in the recall alert.
- Do not consume, serve, use, sell or distribute
recalled products or any product made with them.
- Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the
location where they were purchased. Consumers who are unsure if
they have purchased the recalled products are advised to contact
their retailer.
- Do not cook food for other people if you've
been diagnosed with a Listeria infection or any
other gastrointestinal illness.
- Contact your health care provider if you think you're
experiencing symptoms of Listeria infection.
Those who are most at risk of becoming sick with severe
listeriosis include:
- People with weakened immune systems (unable to fight diseases
easily).
- Adults over the age of 60. The risk increases with age due to a
weakening immune system.
- People who are pregnant, including their unborn or newborn
baby.
What are the complication risks?
If you have severe listeriosis, you can develop meningitis (a
brain infection) and/or blood poisoning. Severe listeriosis can be
fatal.
Although people infected while pregnant may only experience mild,
flu-like symptoms, listeriosis can spread to their unborn baby, and
it can cause:
- a miscarriage
-
- this is when your baby dies in the womb before the 20th week of
pregnancy
- a stillbirth
-
- this is when your baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of
pregnancy (before delivery)
- a premature birth
- life-threatening illness in your baby shortly after birth
Symptoms
Symptoms of listeriosis can start as early as 3 days after
eating contaminated food. You may have the following
symptoms:
- fever
- nausea
- cramps
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- headache
- constipation
- muscle aches
In severe cases, the bacteria can spread to the nervous
system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves). Symptoms of severe
listeriosis include:
- stiff neck
- confusion
- headache
- loss of balance
Symptoms of severe listeriosis may appear up to 70 days after
you have been exposed to Listeria.
Listeriosis (Listeria)
Food safety for vulnerable populations
Investigation summary
There are 18 laboratory-confirmed cases of Listeria
monocytogenes illness linked to this outbreak in:
- Alberta (1)
- Ontario (12)
- Quebec (4)
- Nova Scotia (1)
People became sick between August
2023 and early July 2024. Of
the cases reported to us, thirteen people have been hospitalized
and two individuals have died. Many people who became sick reported
drinking recalled plant-based beverages before their
illnesses occurred.
People who became sick are between 7 and 89 years old. Most of
them are:
- adults 50 years of age or older (67%)
- female (72%).
More recent illnesses may continue to be reported in the
outbreak because there is a period between when a person becomes
ill and when the illness is reported to public health officials.
For this outbreak, the illness reporting period is between 9 and 29
days.
This outbreak may not be limited to the provinces or territories
with known illnesses because the recalled plant-based beverages
were distributed to nationally.
Related links
- Various Silk and Great Value brand plant-based refrigerated
beverages recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes
- Ontario Warns About Product Recall Due to Listeria
Contamination
- Risks of listeriosis (Listeria)
- Safe food handling practices
- Email subscription service for Public Health Notices
- Recall subscription service
SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada