The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has reported a third fatality linked to the consumption of certain non-dairy milk contaminated with listeria. This update follows an initial recall announced on July 17, which advised consumers to avoid refrigerated non-dairy milk products manufactured by Danone Canada under the Silk brand and Walmart’s Great Value brand.
The recall was initiated after evidence connected these plant-based milks—namely almond, cashew, coconut, and oat varieties—to two deaths and twelve confirmed cases of listeria infection. As of August 12, the PHAC has revised its report to include a third death and an additional eight cases, raising the total number of reported cases to 20. Of these, 15 individuals have been hospitalized. The affected cases span multiple provinces: 13 in Ontario, 5 in Quebec, and one each in Alberta and Nova Scotia. The reported illnesses have occurred between August 2023 and early July 2024.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is actively investigating the outbreak and has indicated that additional product recalls may be forthcoming. The CFIA noted that the reporting lag could mean that more recent cases are still being documented. All recalled products, with Best-By Dates extending into September and October 2024, have been removed from store shelves and warehouses. In response to the contamination, Danone Canada has halted production at the affected facility and relocated production to other sites. The company has also implemented enhanced product testing procedures to prevent future issues.
This Canadian outbreak is part of a broader pattern of listeria incidents observed in recent months. In the United States, a listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head liverwurst and other deli meats has resulted in three deaths and at least 40 hospitalizations across 13 states. Another outbreak associated with cheese from Rizo-López Foods has led to two deaths and 23 hospitalizations. Additionally, Wiers Farm of Willard, Ohio, recalled cucumbers and other vegetables in July due to potential listeria contamination, and Totally Cool Inc. of Owings Mills, Maryland, recalled ice cream products in June. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not reported any illnesses from these latter recalls.
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for these outbreaks, can contaminate food products and cause severe infections. Symptoms typically include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal distress. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 1,600 individuals are affected by listeria each year, with around 260 fatalities. For ongoing updates and further information on product recalls consumers are advised to follow announcements from health agencies and food safety authorities.
