A number of Silk plant-based milk products that were subject to a nationwide recall are slowly reappearing on store shelves following a deadly listeria outbreak linked to the products.
A production line at the Pickering, Ont., factory determined to be the source of the listeria monocytogenes contamination was shut down July 6 and remains “completely disassembled” as Canadian Food Inspection Agency authorities inspect it, while other facilities are increasing production to get products back on the shelves, Silk manufacturer Danone Canada told The Epoch Times.
“We have progressively ramped up production of our Silk refrigerated products in other facilities and products impacted by the recall are gradually coming back to shelves,” Danone said in an emailed statement Aug. 19.
The products affected by the recall included Silk brand almond milk, coconut milk, almond-coconut milk and oat milk, with best before dates up to and including Oct. 4.
In a bid to reassure customers all products are safe, Danone has increased the frequency and number of tests in all Silk refrigerated beverage production and warehousing facilities, the company said.
“All production lines used to produce Silk refrigerated products are subject to enhanced equipment and finished product testing as well as environmental swabs for each production run,” Danone said.
“The investigation also involves testing and calling upon independent experts as well as collaborating with the authorities to shed light on the cause of the contamination. This is a rigorous process that takes time, but it is important that we get to the bottom of this.”
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said earlier this month that the Pickering production line would not restart until its investigation is complete.
“No production on this dedicated production line will restart until the necessary corrective measures are implemented and the CFIA is satisfied that any contamination has been identified and eliminated,” the agency said in an Aug. 7 statement.
A nationwide recall for 18 beverages under the Silk and Great Value brands was issued by The CFIA on July 8. The plant-based milks, which are manufactured by Danone Inc., and Walmart Canada Corp., were recalled due to possible listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The recalled products have since been linked to 20 laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases, resulting in three deaths and 15 hospitalizations. Cases have been reported in four provinces, with Ontario having the highest case count at 13, including the three deaths, according to an Aug. 12 Public Health Agency of Canada advisory. There have also been five cases in Quebec and one each in Alberta and Nova Scotia.
Sixty-five percent of the reported cases involved women, the advisory said. The age range of those who became ill was between seven and 89, with 70 percent being 50 or older.
The listeriosis outbreak linked to the consumption of recalled plant-based milks is currently the subject of two class-action lawsuits. Both lawsuits are open to any Canadian who purchased Silk brand almond milk, coconut milk, almond-coconut milk, or oat milk or Great Value brand almond milk subject to the recall.
Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne bacterial infection that can cause listeriosis. Even if products contaminated with listeria do not look or smell spoiled, they can still make you sick, Health Canada says.
The infection can cause a number of symptoms, with the most common being nausea, vomiting, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. In more serious cases, it can also lead to meningitis, blood poisoning, miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth.
Those most susceptible to becoming seriously ill are individuals 60 or older, those with weakened immune systems, unborn babies, and newborns, the health agency said.
