The shelves sit empty as the scope of a listeria
outbreak becomes clearer.
We want to be sure that everything was swiftly removed
so people can rely on the product that we have
on our shelves.
This after a nationwide recall of Silk and Great Value
almond, oat and Coconut beverages suspected of containing the bacteria.
Now, the Public Health Agency of Canada is reporting two
deaths linked to the outbreak.
There are 12 confirmed cases of listeriosis, 10 in Ontario,
one in Q1 in Nova Scotia, but the concern is
cases could soon rise.
It can be quite some time between eating or drinking
the contaminated material and actually getting sick.
Some people get mild symptoms of fever, nausea and vomiting
and may never know they were infected.
There are ways to treat it, but the problem is
of course, that often times you don't suspect it until
it's got until it's for the advanced.
Listeriosis can be fatal and people who are pregnant or
elderly are at greater risk of severe illness.
The company that makes the recalled products says it's working
with authorities to investigate the cause of contamination.
Danon Canada calls news of the deaths devastating and said
their sincere sympathies go out to the families and loved
ones during this difficult time.
This is a pretty major outbreak, and I think a
lot of people are surprised that it's coming from what
people would consider sort of a health type of food.
In 2822, people died from a listeria outbreak linked to
contaminated meat made by Maple Leaf Foods.
That outbreak prompted some changes to food safety, but experts
say more progress is needed.
Can we get better point of production testing so that
these things don't happen?
As investigators search for the cause of this outbreak, the
advices do not consume any of the recalled products and
throw them out immediately or return them to the store.
Megan Fitzpatrick, CBC News, Toronto.