Listeria Investigation: Ready-To-Eat Meat Products
 Questions and Answers for Consumers

Listeria and Health Risks | Identifying Recalled Products | The Recall and Investigation Process | Other

Listeria and Health Risks

Q1. What is listeriosis?

Listeriosis is a foodborne illness that occurs when a person consumes food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium is often found in the environment, particularly in soil, vegetation, animal feed, and in human and animal feces. Although food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled, consumption of it may lead to the foodborne illness, often referred to as “food poisoning.”

Q2.  What are the symptoms of listeriosis?

A person with listeriosis, may experience the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Cramps
• Diarrhea
• Severe headache
• Constipation
• Persistent fever

Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 30 days and up to 70 days after consuming contaminated food.

In some instances for those most at risk, these symptoms may be followed by meningitis and/or encephalitis (an infection of the brain or its surrounding tissues) and/or septicemia (blood poisoning), either of which can result in death.

Q3.  Who is at risk for developing listeriosis?

Those who are highest at risk include:

• Pregnant women
• Newborns
• The elderly
• People with weakened immune systems

Q4. What should I do if I have these symptoms?

People who believe they have experienced symptoms of illness are urged to contact their health care provider.

Q5. What about pregnant women?

Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, however a woman who develops listeriosis during the first three months of pregnancy may miscarry. If she develops listeriosis later in the pregnancy, her baby may be stillborn or acutely ill.

Q6. Is there a risk of transferring the listeria bacteria to my newborn through breastmilk?

It is possible but very unlikely. However, there is a risk of transferring the bacteria to a newborn from hands that have handled contaminated meat products. Following safe food handling practices will reduce the risk.

Q7. Is listeriosis fatal?

Deaths are uncommon, except in the very young, the very old, or people with weakened immune systems.

Q8. If you get sick is there a medication that can cure your symptoms or remove the bacteria from your body?

People from at-risk groups who think they may have eaten contaminated products and have experienced symptoms, such as persistent fever, severe headaches, neck stiffness, or nausea and vomiting should see their doctor.

Antibiotics are often an important part of treatment.

Q9. How does Listeria monocytogenes spread?

Listeria monocytogenes can be spread by contact with an infected product or surface, such as hands or counter tops, during food preparation. It is often found in the environment and unlike most other harmful bacteria, it can grow slowly on foods stored in a refrigerator.

Q10. Can you pass the bacteria from one person to another through touching?

It is possible, but very unlikely. Thorough hand-washing with soap kills the bacteria and makes spreading it very unlikely.

Q11. Is there a link between these confirmed cases of listeriosis and the Maple Leaf Food products that were recalled?

Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have received laboratory results from Health Canada that establish a link between a subset of meat products recalled by Maple Leaf Foods from their plant in Toronto and an outbreak of listeriosis.

As of August 24, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods has expanded the previous public warning issued on August 19, 2008 to include all products produced at the plant in question (Establishment 97B) on a precautionary basis. There are approximately 200 products included in this recall, most of which are retail products.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods are warning the public not to serve or consume the ready-to-eat deli meat products on the list of affected products available on the CFIA Web site as these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Furthermore, consumers are advised to look for the code ‘97B' on any products they have bought and to return those products or throw them out. This code can be found near the Best Before date on the package. If you are unable to find a code and are in doubt whether the product has been recalled, throw it out.

Q12. What is the difference between a confirmed case and a suspect case?

In this outbreak investigation, a confirmed case is an individual that has Listeria monocytogenes  with the same genetic DNA fingerprint  as the outbreak strain.

In this outbreak investigation, a suspect case is an individual with Listeria monocytogenes and is awaiting DNA fingerprinting pattern results.

Q13. How can I protect myself and my family?

First, carefully review the Maple Leaf Consumer Foods list of affected products and additional recalled products available on the CFIA Web site as these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Second, ensure you do not consume any Maple Leaf products with the code ‘97B' as these products have all been recalled as a precautionary measure by Maple Leaf Foods. This code can be found near the Best Before date on the package. If you are unable to find a code and are in doubt whether the product has been recalled, throw it out.

Those individuals who are the most vulnerable (the very young, the elderly, those whose immune systems may be compromised or pregnant women) should avoid consumption of any risk products.

The Government of Canada also recommends taking the following precautions when buying, storing, and preparing food:

• Keep foods out of the temperature danger zone (between 4°C and 60°C or 40°F and 140°F). Keep the refrigerator at 4°C (40°F) or colder. Refrigerate food promptly.
• Thoroughly cook or boil foods such as hot dogs and poultry products until they are steaming hot.
• Avoid raw, unpasteurised milk or foods made from it such as raw milk cheese.
• Purchase only as much product as will be consumed in 1 to 2 days.
• Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.
• Wash hands before, during and after handling any type of food, especially raw meat and poultry.
• Clean all utensils, cutting boards and work surfaces with a mild bleach solution (5 ml/1 tsp. bleach per 750 ml/3 cups water) before and after using.
• Separate utensils for raw and cooked foods.
• Follow “Best Before” dates especially on packaged goods with a long shelf life.

Q14. Should I be worried about cross contamination from affected meat products to other meat products at the deli counter?

It is the responsibility of retailers to regularly clean the food environment including surfaces and deli slicing machinery. If retailers have taken responsible action to remove recalled products and clean properly, there should not be a concern.

Municipal health inspectors conduct regular inspections to observe and assess that proper handling and sanitation practices are employed. Also, Canadian grocers and distributors conduct their activities by a set of standards and guidelines adopted by their members.

Identifying Recalled Products

Q1. Where are Maple Leaf Foods meat products distributed and sold?

These products have been distributed nationally, primarily to food service institutions such as restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, these products may also be sold at retail and deli counters across Canada.

Q2. How do I know if meat that I purchased at a retail or deli counter is part of the recall?

At these locations the original product identity and Best Before code may not be evident, consumers who may have a concern with their deli meat products are advised to check with their retailer to determine if the purchase contained the recalled products.

Q3. What should I do if I have some sliced meat and I am not sure if it is among the varieties affected by the recall?

If you are not sure if your meat is affected by the recall, don't eat it. Throw it out.

The Recall and Investigation Process

Q1. Is Maple Leaf Foods the only suspected source of the high rate of listeria cases at this point?   If not, what other sources are being investigated?

As part of the investigation, information is collected on all food and water consumed by individuals during the 30 days prior to onset of symptoms. Although laboratory results from Health Canada establish a link between meat products recalled by Maple Leaf Foods and an outbreak of listeriosis, the CFIA will continue to assess common food sources revealed through the public health investigations.

Q2. What could have caused the contamination in the Maple Leaf Foods products – was it a flaw in the food production?

In the course of investigating the Listeria monocytogenes incident involving ready-to-eat meat products, a potential contributing factor may relate to meat slicing equipment.

The investigation has highlighted that organic material may become retained within the inner workings of this equipment, unrelated to contact surfaces, even after routine sanitation and cleaning conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. This may have the potential to contribute to the contamination of ready-to-eat meat products processed on this equipment.

CFIA will continue with its investigation in order to determine the extent to which slicing equipment was a contributing factor and will work to identify any other potential sources of listeria contamination at the plant.

Q3. Who is ensuring that the recalled products are removed from store shelves and from restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes?

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the Maple Leaf Foods recall. CFIA and public health units across Canada are verifying that 100% of affected product is removed from high-risk institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes and day cares and all retail stores are checked through a normal verification process. However, it is critical that retailers and distributors of Maple Leaf products take due diligence and remove affected products from their shelves and off their menus

Q4. Who issues a recall of hazardous foods?

A recall can be issued by the CFIA, provincial or local Medical Officers of Health, or a company. A food recall is a method of removing food products that may represent a health hazard to the consumer.  It is an action taken most often by a manufacturer, distributor, or operator of food premises to protect the public's health.

Q5. Why are recalls continuing to occur? Is this an indication that the outbreak is expanding?

No, the recent recalls from the CFIA are removing additional products that have been manufactured with the already recalled Maple Leaf deli meats. These recalls are not an indication that the outbreak is getting bigger, but rather it shows that the trace-out of Maple Leaf Food products is thorough.

Q6. What does “voluntary” recall mean?

A voluntary recall occurs when a manufacturer, distributor, or operator of food premises initiates and carries out the required recall activity without the issuance of a recall order. The CFIA Act gives CFIA the authority, when necessary, to issue mandatory recall orders on food products that may represent a health hazard to consumers.

Q7. Does a retailer have to comply with a voluntary recall?

Retailers should comply with a voluntary recall initiated by a firm. If the retailer refuses, CFIA can issue a recall order to the retailer. Should a retailer fail to comply with a recall order, that retailer is guilty of an offence and could face a fine of up to $50,000 and/or a term of imprisonment. A CFIA inspector has the authority to immediately seize the identified product affected by the recall.

Q8. Is this the largest food recall in Canadian history?

No. Although the Maple Leaf Foods recall can be considered one of the largest in recent history, there have been recalls that have involved a larger volume of product and have involved greater risks to human health.

Other

Q1. Are the problems with Maple Leaf Foods meat products an isolated incident ?

Yes. Based on testing to date, this is an isolated incident related to one facility.

In the course of investigating the Listeria monocytogenes incident involving ready-to-eat meat products, a potential contributing factor may relate to meat slicing equipment. CFIA will continue with its investigation in order to determine the extent to which slicing equipment was a contributing factor and will work to identify any other potential sources of listeria contamination at the plant.

Sporadic detections of listeriosis associated with various food products are reported by the public health community on a regular basis.

Q2. Can I trust the safety of meat in Canada?

Canada has an internationally respected meat inspection program in place. To help ensure the safety of Canada's food supply, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regularly audits federally licensed meat establishments and works with industry to promote compliance with federal regulations. Food inspection programs administered by the CFIA confirm that establishments have taken the appropriate steps to produce safe food products.

For more information on Listeria, please refer to the CFIA fact sheet.

Q3. Can I receive compensation for recalled meat products that I have already purchased? Who will compensate me?

All questions regarding compensation should be forwarded to the Maple Leaf Foods Consumer Affairs hotline at 1-800-568-5801.

Q4. With schools across Canada opening next week, families are thinking about preparing lunches for their children. Many parents are concerned about using deli meats to prepare sandwiches. What advice would you provide to those parents?

Canadian families can have confidence in their food supply. Canadians are encouraged to always follow safe food handling practices when preparing lunches at home. These include washing hands and surfaces often, avoiding cross contamination, ensuring proper refrigeration and thoroughly cooking foods.

Q5. Rather than throw recalled meat away, can I feed it to my pet?

It is not recommended to feed the recalled meat to pets, unless it is cooked. Otherwise, the bacteria may multiply in your pet and be shed in greater numbers in its feces. Both adults and children could then be exposed from handling the pet. Listeria can cause illness in dogs, but this is rare.