MEDICAL ADVISORY: Recall of Silk and Great Value brand plant-based beverages due to Listeria risk

Issued by: Dr. Jessica Jackman, MD MPH FRCPC FACPM DipABLM, Associate Medical Officer of Health

Date: July 16, 2024

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a Canada-wide recall notice for various Silk and Great Value brand plant-based refrigerated beverages due to a risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. To date, there have been 10 confirmed cases associated with the outbreak in Ontario, including eight hospitalizations.

There may be recalls of additional products as the food safety investigation continues – please review the recall notice for the most up-to-date information. Please advise patients that recalled products should be immediately discarded or returned to their place of purchase.

About Listeria

• Listeria monocytogenes is the bacterium that causes listeriosis
• The typical incubation period for listeriosis is 24 hours to three weeks, but can be as long as 70 days
• Listeria infection is often asymptomatic, but can result in an acute febrile gastroenteritis, or more invasive disease, such as sepsis, meningitis or endocarditis
• Listeriosis has been linked to severe morbidity and mortality in vulnerable populations, including newborns, older adults, pregnant individuals and those who are immunocompromised
  • Infection during pregnancy typically leads to a flu-like illness, but can result in complications, such as stillbirth, preterm delivery and neonatal infection

Listeria testing

For clinical testing recommendations for Listeria following the consumption of contaminated or recalled food products, see Public Health Ontario’s Listeriosis Clinical Testing Information 

• Please note that testing for Listeria in asymptomatic people, including those who consumed a recalled food product, is not recommended
• Additionally, stool testing is not recommended for diagnosis

Reporting

All positive cases of Listeria are to be reported to the Medical Officer of Health as per the Health Protection and Promotion Act. To report, please contact the Infectious Disease Program at:

• 905-688-8248 ext. 7330 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
• Toll free: 1-888-505-6074
• After-hours: 905-984-3690

More information

• Listeriosis – Public Health Ontario
• For Health Professionals: Listeriosis (Listeria) – Public Health Agency of Canada
• Listeriosis Case Definitions and Disease-Specific Information – Ministry of Health