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Maple Leaf Foods
August 20, 2008
Death reported in Ontario from listeriosis, as meat recall expanded
Date : Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Health Canada confirmed Wednesday that one person in Ontario has died as a result of listeriosis.
The Public Health Agency of Canada said 17 cases have been identified across Canada, with 13 of those in Ontario.
Earlier in the day, Maple Leaf Foods announced it was expanding a recall of its packaged meats and temporarily closing a Toronto plant that prepares the products. ''We have a strong culture of food safety that these incidents do not uphold, and we are taking every step required to maintain our very high standards.'-Maple Leaf Consumer Foods president Rick Young'
But Health Canada is not drawing a direct link between the two events.
The Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial public authorities are trying to confirm the source of illnesses.
Maple Leaf said Wednesday it was recalling all products prepared at the plant since June 2 and temporarily closing the factory to re-evaluate its food safety procedures.
On Sunday, the meat packer announced it had discovered listeria bacteria in Sure Slice roast beef and corned beef produced at the Toronto facility and issued a recall on those products.
As of Wednesday, some 23 products, including a variety of turkey, smoked meat and roast beef products, were subject to a recall.
Brand names for the recalled products include Schneiders, Sure Slice, Deli Gourmet and Burns Bites. A complete list of affected products is available on both the Maple Leaf Foods website and that of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The 23 products involved in the expanded recall carry an "establishment number" of 97B and have best-before dates ranging from Sept. 30 to Jan. 1, 2009.
Cases of listeriosis have been identified in four provinces, but no direct link has been made to Maple Leaf products, Public Health Agency of Canada spokesman Philippe Brideau said Wednesday.
Since June, 13 cases have been reported in Ontario, two in British Columbia and one each in Saskatchewan and Quebec. The agency is working with provincial and local health authorities in an effort to confirm the source of the outbreak, Brideau said.
A number of the affected products are part of an investigation into the listeriosis outbreak, but a link has yet to be confirmed, said Canadian Food Inspection Agency official Garfield Balsom.
The agency said some of the Maple Leaf meat products, which are distributed to nursing homes, restaurants and deli counters across the country - including McDonald's and Mr. Sub - tested positive for listeria bacteria.
The agency first became aware of possible problems when it was notified of a listeriosis outbreak on Aug. 6 by a particular health unit and subsequent investigation led officials to Maple Leaf's Toronto facility, he said.
"We believe it is important to take ... broader preventative actions to respond to this situation promptly, comprehensively, and in the best interests of our consumers," said Maple Leaf Consumer Foods President Rick Young. "We have a strong culture of food safety that these incidents do not uphold, and we are taking every step required to maintain our very high standards."
McDonald's Canada said Wednesday it was temporarily removing the turkey BLT sandwich from its menu as a "precautionary measure" - the only item on the restaurant chain's menu that is affected.
"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but food safety and quality at McDonald's will not be compromised," the company said in a release.
"We are closely monitoring the situation and are taking guidance from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency."
Consumption of food tainted with listeria can lead to high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. The illness is a particular danger to pregnant women and their unborn children, people with weakened immune systems, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease or AIDS, and the elderly.
If you or someone you know was infected with Listeriosis. please contact Glyn Hotz, Barrister & Solicitor, tel: (416) 590-7823 or by email: glyn@hotzlawyers.com