Marianne Moroney is comparing the impact of the deadly Listeriosis outbreak to the SARS crisis.  That's how much her business has been affected.  

The frustrating part is the food she sells everyday has no association with the recent sicknesses.  She's just one of hundreds of hotdog vendors who have helplessly watched as profits have dwindled due to unfounded fears that hotdogs and sausages can carry the bacteria.

"Hot dog carts...they always reheat the cooked product to acceptable temperature, and heat can actually kill listeria," notes Jim Chan, Toronto Public Health.

Listeriosis caused by tainted deli meats has now killed 17 people in Canada . Hot dogs were never a problem, but that hasn't stopped Moroney's customers from staying away.

"(I'm scared that) I might get sick or they're not processed properly," said one local.

Marianne says she's losing about $300 a day, and with winter just around the corner, it's a loss she and other vendors can't afford.