Another death reported in outbreak traced to Silk and Great Value plant-based beverages

A third person has died in connection with an outbreak of listeria linked to recalled plant-based refrigerated beverage products, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

“Do not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute various recalled plant-based refrigerated beverages,” an Aug. 12 update from the national agency said.

A number of Silk and Great Value products have been recalled. To view the recalled products, visit the recalls-rappels.canada.ca website.

The federal agency said 20 illnesses have been reported: 13 in Ontario, five in Quebec, and one each in Alberta and Nova Scotia. There have been 15 hospitalizations related to this outbreak.

An investigation is ongoing and the public health notice will be updated as the investigation evolves, authorities said.

“Do not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute various recalled plant-based refrigerated beverages,” the public agency said in its update.

The recalled products were produced at a Pickering production plant where the facility’s operators are co-operating with Canadian health inspectors.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Danone Canada and its Pickering-based third-party manufacturer, Joriki Inc., “immediately halted production and distribution of all implicated products” after becoming aware of the bacteria being found in various Silk and Great Value brand plant-based refrigerated beverages.

“All affected products were made on a dedicated production line, which has been completely disassembled while inspection at the facility is ongoing,” the agency said. “No production on this dedicated production line will restart until the necessary corrective measures are implemented and the CFIA is satisfied that any contamination has been identified and eliminated.”

Danone and Joriki are working to “determine the source of the contamination and are implementing corrective measures, including enhanced safety and production protocols.”

About Listeria infections

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalledproductsand developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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