Listeria Cases Grow in Canada
The listeriosis case in Canada has been linked to 11 deaths since the recall of sandwich meats made at a Maple Leaf Food plant in Ontario on Aug. 17. Nine of the deaths were reported in Ontario, one in British Colombia and one in Alberta; another six deaths are still under investigation for cause, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA). There are 33 confirmed cases and 25 suspected cases of listeriosis where people have become ill.
"Listeriosis poses a very low risk to the general population since healthy people rarely become ill when exposed to the bacteria," said Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health told The Vancouver Sun. "Those most at risk include pregnant women, the very old, the very young and those with weakened immune systems."
Balsom said CFIA conducts efficiency checks on the recall, concentrating on seniors' homes and hospitals -- "the vulnerable, sensitive populations," -- before moving on to what he calls the "second-tier" consumers like restaurants and food wholesalers who use meat in their products.
Over the Labor Day weekend, King Bean Wholesalers joined the list of companies recalling products in which Maple Leaf meat products were used. CFIA issued recall notices for 15 sandwich brands last week and added that the crisis seems to be coming to an end.
Maple Leaf Foods began a recall of deli-meat products Aug. 17 after listeria, a potentially fatal bacterium, was found in its Toronto plant.
Dozens of other brands have also been pulled off store shelves. Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled, according to CIFA.