Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/July 11, 2024
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) wants to make residents aware that on July 8, 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced a recall that affects certain Silk and Great Value brand plant-based refrigerated beverages that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria commonly known as Listeria. Listeria can cause Listeriosis, a serious but rare illness that in some cases can lead to brain infection and even death. The Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health is closely monitoring the outbreak.
As of July 8, 2024, there have been nine confirmed cases associated with the outbreak identified in Ontario, including five hospitalizations. It is possible that additional cases related to this outbreak may continue to be identified over the coming weeks.
What should you do?
Please check your refrigerators and discard recalled products immediately or return them to the location where they were purchased. Do not consume any recalled products. Listeria contamination does not change the smell, taste or appearance of food.
Symptoms of Listeriosis
Listeriosis usually manifests as mild flu-like illness. Symptoms may start suddenly and include:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Constipation
- Muscle aches
More severe cases may result in meningitis and blood infection, and symptoms could include:
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Headache
- Loss of balance
Listeriosis has been linked to severe illness and death in vulnerable populations including newborns, older adults, pregnant people, and persons whose immune systems are compromised. The incubation period for Listeriosis can be from three days up to three weeks; in some cases, symptoms can appear 70 days after exposure.
Consumers are asked to visit the CFIA’s website for a complete listing of all recalled products and to visit the website regularly as there may be recalls of additional products as the safety investigation continues.
To learn more about Listeriosis, visit hpePublicHealth.ca/listeriosis-faqs/
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Media Contacts:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Communications Team
communications@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
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