A total of three people have now died from a Listeria outbreak in connection with the recall of Silk and Great Value brand plant-based beverages in Canada.
On Monday, the Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed there are now 20 confirmed cases of the illness linked to the outbreak in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec and Nova Scotia.
According to the government agency, people became sick between Aug. 2023 and mid-July of this year. Among the confirmed cases, 13 are in Ontario, five are in Quebec, one is in Nova Scotia and one is in Alberta.
“Many people who became sick reported drinking recalled plant-based beverages before their illnesses occurred,” a release from the agency reads.
Back in July, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA) issued a recall warning the public not to consume or sell certain plant-based beverages from the two Canadian brands. This includes Silk’s almond, coconut and oat milk, and three flavours of Great Value’s almond milk with best-before dates up to and including Oct. 4.
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In an update on Aug. 7, the food agency also revealed that the recalled products were produced in Pickering.
“All affected products were made on a dedicated production line, which has been completely disassembled while inspection at the facility is ongoing. No production on this dedicated production line will restart until the necessary corrective measures are implemented,” reads a statement.
Though 70 per cent of cases are among women 50 years of age or older, the agency emphasizes that any healthy individual can become ill from the infection and the disease is especially fatal for unborn babies, newborns, individuals over the age of 60, and those with weakened immune systems.
The agency is advising Canadians to throw out the products or return them if found in your home. Canadians are being asked not to consume the products and not to prepare food for others if infected.
Symptoms of Listeria include fever, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, constipation and muscle aches. Those who are experiencing symptoms are urged to visit their health-care provider.
Symptoms can appear as early as three days and severe Listeriosis can appear 70 days after exposure.
