One woman is dead and at least 13 more are sick following an outbreak of listeriosis in the province.
That prompted a massive investigation by the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and it led to a large recall of some deli meats from a giant manufacturer.
(
See the full list of affected products below.)
It's believed Listeria monocytogenes may have gotten into a number of products made by food company
Maple Leaf, although officials stress there's still no confirmed or direct correlation between the current cases and the recalled meat.
"There is a recall in place [for] two products that go into food service. One of them tested positive for low levels of listeria," confirmed Maple Leaf spokeswoman Linda Smith.
It's not known yet how this happened - the company has 10 dedicated food safety workers at the temporarily closed Toronto plant.
"Given that the standards were not met in this instance, reviewing procedures, reviewing protocols, reviewing protocols on those specific lines are absolutely part of what needs to be done," Smith explained.
Toronto Public Health is also involved in the national investigation.
"At the end of July, the province noticed that there were a higher number of cases of listeria in Ontario," outlined Dr. Vinita Dubey.
The scare has been enough to cause the company to issue a massive recall of some of its most popular products, most of which are sold to fast food outlets like McDonald's and Mr. Sub, hospitals and nursing homes. All products prepared at the plant since June 2nd are affected and the company has closed the facility.
The plant will remained closed for four days so it can be completely disinfected. Staff will also be retrained on proper food handling technique.
Two cases of listeriosis have been confirmed in B.C. while there has been one each in Saskatchewan and Quebec. And experts are bracing for the possibility that there could be more.
"I have also asked all public health units to advise emergency rooms in their jurisdictions to be on alert for cases," explains Ontario's medical officer of health Dr. David Williams. "All suspect and confirmed cases of listeriosis must be reported immediately to local public health units and in turn to the ministry within one business day of notification of report."
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is aiding in the meat recall, after several samples of the tainted meat showed up at some of the fast food outlets.
Food contaminated with the bacteria may not look or smell spoiled, but it can cause the foodborne illness.
Listeria is actually quite common and exists in the soil and water all around us. But if you eat it, it could make you sick.
Symptoms:
- sudden onset of fever
- headache
- nausea and vomiting
"Now in rare cases it can go on to spread throughout the body, causing septicemia, an infection of the blood, and sometimes even meningitis," explains CityNews
Medical Specialist Dr. Karl Kabasele.
Is it fatal?
"In rare cases it can be," Dr. Kabasele admits, although that's not what generally happens. "It's not usually fatal, but in vulnerable people, people who are immuno-compromised, pregnant women in particular and fetuses and small children and the elderly are all typically more susceptible than children and adults or younger adults."
Patients who may have consumed the meats in question and who experience symptoms are advised to contact their physician or seek treatment right away.
"If things progress to the point where you have a change in your level of consciousness that can be a medical emergency," the Harvard Medical school grad concludes. "It can be a sign of meningitis and you should seek medical attention."
Find more on listeria here
For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:
Maple Leaf Consumer Foods at 1-800-568-5801
CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8am - 8pm ET, Monday to Friday).
For information on Listeria monocytogenes,
click here.
The following ready-to-eat meat products bearing an Est. # 97B are affected by this alert:
McDonald's Sliced Cooked Turkey Breast
6 x 470g
UPC - 10063100263659
Product code - 26365
All best before dates up to and including 08SE30
(Note: McDonald's has announced it's temporarily pulling its Turkey BLT from its menus in Canada until the issue is resolved.)
Schneiders Bavarian smokies
8 x 1kg
UPC - 0 64844 02105 8
Product code - 02106
Dates up to and including 08OC28
Schneiders Cheddar smokies
8 x 1kg
UPC - 0 64844 02124 9
Product code - 02126
Dates up to and including 08OC28
ML Sure Slice Roast Beef
3 x 1kg
UPC - 10063100213333
Product code - 21333
Dates up to and including 08SE30
ML Sure Slice Combo Pack
3 x 1kg
UPC - 10063100213883
Product code - 21388
Dates up to and including 08SE30
Deli Gourmet Roast Beef Slices
6 x 1kg
UPC - 10000000602430
Product code - 60243
Dates up to and including 08SE30
Mr. Sub Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef
12 x 500g
UPC - 10063100023567
Product code - 02356
Dates up to and including 08OC07
MSD Roast Beef, Seasoned and Cooked
6 x 500g
UPC - 10063100427068
Product code - 42706
Dates up to and including 08OC07
ML Sure Slice Turkey Breast Roast Slice
3 x 1kg
UPC - 10063100213340
Product code - 21334
Dates up to and including 08OC14
ML Sure Slice Corned Beef
3 x 1kg
UPC - 10063100214446
Product code - 21444
Dates up to and including 08OC14
MSD Montreal Style Corned Beef
6 x 500g
UPC - 10063100449381
Product code: 44938
Dates up to and including 08OC14
ML Sure Slice Black Forest Style Ham
3 x 1kg
UPC - 10063100214408
Product code - 21440
Dates up to and including 08OC21
ML Sure Slice Salami
3 x 1kg
UPC - 10063100214477
Product code - 21447
Dates up to and including 08OC21
ML Sure Slice Smoked Ham
3 x 1kg
UPC - 10063100213319
Product code - 21331
Dates up to and including 08OC21
Schneiders Deli Shaved Corned Beef
8 x 200g
UPC - 0 62000 48019 0
Product code - 48019
Dates up to and including 08OC21
Schneiders Deli Shaved Smoked Meat
8 x 200g
UPC - 0 62000 48020 6
Product code - 48020
Dates up to and including 08OC21
Schneiders Deli Shaved Smoked Ham
8 x 200g
UPC - 0 62000 48016 9
Product code - 48016
Dates up to and including 08OC21
Schneiders Deli Shaved Smoked Turkey Breast
8 x 150g
UPC - 0 62000 48018 3
Product code - 48018
Dates up to and including 08OC21
Schneiders Deli Shaved Fully Cooked Smoked Honey Ham
8 x 200g
UPC - 0 62000 48017 6
Product code - 48017
Dates up to and including 08OC21
Burns Bites Pepperoni
12 x 500g
UPC - 0 63100 21360 2
Product code - 21360
Dates up to and including 09JA01
ML Turkey Breast Roast
12 x 1kg
UPC - 10063100991583
Product code - 99158
Dates up to and including 08SE30
FS Roast Beef Cooked, Seasoned
4 x 2.5kg
UPC - 10064875713301
Product code - 71330
Dates up to and including 08SE30
FS Corned Beef, Smoked Meat
4 x 2.5kg
UPC - 10064875713318
Product code - 71331
Dates up to and including 08SE30