Last month, the Public Health Agency of Canada issued a warning to the public, and recalled along with advising against the consumption of certain non-dairy milk products—specifically almond, oat, cashew, and coconut varieties—by Silk and Great Value brands due to the risk of listeria contamination. The alert followed reports of 12 listeria infections and two related deaths.
Issue
The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
What you should do
- If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider.
- Check to see if you have recalled products in your home or establishment by looking for the specific product name and size, UPC and codes in the recall alert.
- Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products.
- Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased. Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the recalled products are advised to contact their retailer.
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die.