(UPDATE: July 10 at 9:30 am): There have been no lab-confirmed cases of listeria in BC linked to the Silk and Great Value plant-based drinks recall, public health officials have told NowMedia.
The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) said it is "monitoring reports of illness carefully."
Ontario's health ministry said on Tuesday that nine confirmed cases have been reported in the province, with five of those cases resulting in hospitalizations, the province explained.
Various products were recalled across Canada on Monday over fears they could be contaminated with listeria.
A full list can be found here.
A spokeswoman for the BCCDC told NowMedia that anyone who thinks they could be ill after consuming one of the products should get in touch with their health care provider.
"Pregnant people, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of more severe illness," she added. "Listeriosis can be treated with antibiotics."
(UPDATE: July 9 at 12:12 pm): Ontario's health ministry has said nine confirmed cases of listeriosis have been reported in the province in connection with the Silk and Great Value plant-based drinks recall.
Five of those cases have resulted in hospitalizations, the province explained.
"I strongly advise the public, especially those at high risk for listeriosis, such as the elderly, pregnant women and those with weak immune systems, to make sure they do not consume these recalled products," Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, said in a news release.
NowMedia has asked the BC Ministry of Health if there are any cases associated with the products in BC.
(Original story: July 9 at 6:30 am): Popular brands of oat, almond, cashew and coconut milk have been recalled amid fears they could be contaminated with listeria.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said in a public notice that the Silk and Great Value products should not be consumed or sold.
CFIA said there have already been reported illnesses associated with the consumption of the drinks.
The full list of affected products can be found here.
Included are:
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Great Value Almond Beverage Unsweetened Original
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Great Value Almond Beverage Original
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Great Value Almond Beverage Vanilla
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Silk Almond Original
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Silk Almond Unsweetened
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Silk Coconut Original
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Silk Oat Original
The products are sold by Danone Canada.
CFIA said it would verify whether the products have been removed from the marketplace.
The recall is nationwide.
“Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick,” CFIA posted.
“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.”
