A number of Silk and Great Value brand plant-based milk products are being recalled across Canada as they may be contaminated with listeria.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued the recall on Monday for 18 almond, coconut and oat beverages with expiry dates up to and including October 4 and product codes containing 7825. People are advised not to drink the recalled products.
The recall was triggered by an investigation following a listeriosis outbreak. Ontario’s health ministry has so far confirmed nine cases linked to the recalled beverages and five hospitalizations.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause listeriosis, a rare but serious illness. Food contaminated with the bacteria may not look or smell spoiled but can still make people sick.
The median time from exposure to listeria until symptoms develop is typically two to three weeks but can be as long as 70 days, according to Ontario’s health ministry.
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Symptoms may include vomiting, nausea, cramps, severe headache, constipation persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
The risk of listeriosis is greatest for newborns, older adults, pregnant people and people whose immune systems are compromised. In pregnant people, infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of a newborn and stillbirth.
People who buy the affected products are encouraged to check their fridges for any matching the recall and, if found, throw them out or return them to where they were purchased.
The following products are affected:
- Great Value Almond Beverage Unsweetened Original, 1.89 litres, UPC 6 81131 34208 7;
- Great Value Almond Beverage Original, 1.89 litres, UPC 6 81131 34209 4;
- Great Value Almond Beverage Vanilla, 1.89 litres, UPC 6 81131 34210 0;
- Silk Almond and Coconut Unsweetened, 1.89 litres, UPC 025293 00250 0;
- Silk Almond Original, 1.89 litres, UPC 0 25293 00100 8;
- Silk Almond Dark Chocolate, 1.89 litres, UPC 0 25293 00135 0;
- Silk Almond Unsweetened, 1.89 litres, UPC 0 25293 00150 3;
- Silk Almond Unsweetened Vanilla, 1.89 litres, UPC 0 25293 00188 6;
- Silk Almond Vanilla, 1.89 litres, UPC 0 25293 00168 8;
- Silk Coconut Original, 1.89 litres, UPC 0 25293 00152 7;
- Silk Coconut Unsweetened, 1.89 litres, UPC 0 25293 00244 9, all best before dates up to and including September 27;
- Silk Oat Original, 1.75 litres, UPC 0 36632 07240 5;
- Silk Oat Vanilla, 1.75 litres, UPC 0 36632 07241 2;
- Silk Oat Dark Chocolate, 1.75 litres, UPC 0 36632 07239 9;
- Silk Oat Unsweetened, 1.75 litres, UPC 0 36632 07532 1;
- Silk Oat Unsweetened Vanilla, 1.75 litres, UPC 0 56800 72749 4;
- Silk Almond and Cashew Unsweetened, 1.75 litres, UPC 0 36632 07235 1; and
- Silk Almond and Cashew Unsweetened Vanilla, 1.75 litres, UPC 0 36632 07234 4.
