A total of 18 listeria cases are now linked to a recall of Silk and Great Value brand plant-based beverages in Canada.
On Tuesday, the Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed that six additional cases of listeriosis are linked to the national recall in four provinces, according to a public health notice on its website. There’s one case in Alberta and Nova Scotia each, four in Quebec and 12 cases in Ontario.
Currently, there are 13 hospitalizations and two people have died from the infection in Ontario, according to the Ministry of Health.
Public health officials say the age range affected by the virus is between seven to 89, and so far, 67 per cent of cases are people aged 50 and older. Additionally, the agency notes that 72 per cent of cases involve women.
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Earlier this month, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA) issued a recall advising 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, as well as three flavours of Great Value’s almond milk.
The products affected have best-before dates up to and including Oct. 4, 2024, and carry the product code 7825.
The recall was issued after the CFIA found that foodborne illnesses were linked with the consumption of these 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 public health agency said.
The agency recommends throwing out the products or returning them.
Those who are experiencing symptoms of listeria are also urged to visit their health-care provider. Symptoms of the infection include fever, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, constipation and muscle aches.
The agency says symptoms can start as early as three days after eating the contaminated food, meanwhile symptoms of severe listeriosis may appear up to 70 days after being exposed.
A detailed list of recalled products can be found on the CFIA’s website.
