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Silk milk recalled; Canada listeria deaths rise to three.

Canada's Silk almond milk outbreak has sickened 20. The non-dairy milk, also sold as Great Value at Walmart, has been linked to listeria.

Published August 14, 2024 at 5:45pm by Mike Snider

Death Toll Rises to Three in Canada's Non-Dairy Milk Listeria Outbreak

The death of a third person has been linked to contaminated plant-based milk.

The Public Health Agency of Canada confirms that a third person has died and eight more cases have been identified in the ongoing listeria outbreak linked to non-dairy milk products. The total count now stands at 20 cases, with 15 hospitalizations and three deaths. The outbreak has primarily affected Ontario and Quebec, with 13 and five cases respectively, and one case each in Alberta and Nova Scotia.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is investigating, and more products may be recalled.

The CFIA is continuing its investigation, and the recall includes almond, cashew, coconut, and oat milk products with Best-By Dates into September and October 2024. These products were distributed exclusively in Canada.

For a full list of recalled products, visit the agency's website.

Recalled Products & Corporate Response:

Silk and Great Value brand plant-based milk products have been recalled, and Silk's parent company, Danone, has stopped production at the affected third-party facility. Frédéric Guichard, Danone Canada's president, assured the public that all recalled products have been removed from store shelves and warehouses. The company has also doubled down on product testing at its facilities.

US Listeria Outbreaks:

The US has also faced recent listeria outbreaks:

Boar's Head liverwurst and other deli meats linked to 3 deaths, over 40 hospitalizations, and multiple lawsuits.
Cheese from Rizo-López Foods led to 2 deaths and 23 hospitalizations, resulting in a nationwide recall.
Wiers Farm recalled cucumbers and vegetables sold at Aldi and Walmart due to potential contamination.
Totally Cool Inc. recalled 68 ice cream products across 13 brands as a precaution.

About Listeria:

Per the US FDA, listeria is a bacteria that can contaminate food and cause infection. The CDC notes that around 1,600 people fall ill, and about 260 die from listeria annually in the US. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal issues.