Canadian Listeria outbreak linked to Silk brand beverages

An outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes in Canada has been linked to consumption of Silk brand plant-based beverages, according to a report from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

In a recall notice dated July 8, 2024, the CFIA revealed that there had been reported illnesses associated with the products. However, no details were supplied regarding the size or geographic scope of the outbreak.

Danone Canada has acknowledged “several cases” of potential contamination, and has issued its own news release advising consumers of the recall.

As of this writing, the Public Health Agency of Canada has not posted an outbreak investigation notice on its website, nor has it responded to our request for information.

Danone has recalled 18 products, marketed under the Silk and Great Value brand names. All of the recalled products bear a product code that includes “7825.”

ProductSizeUPCBest before dates
Great Value Almond Beverage Unsweetened Original1.89L6 81131 34208 7Up to and including 24 OC 04
Great Value Almond Beverage Original1.89L6 81131 34209 4Up to and including 24 OC 04
Great Value Almond Beverage Vanilla1.89L6 81131 34210 0Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Almond & Coconut Unsweetened1.89L0 25293 00250 0Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Almond Original1.89L0 25293 00100 8Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Almond Dark Chocolate1.89L0 25293 00135 0Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Almond Unsweetened1.89L0 25293 00150 3Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Almond Unsweetened Vanilla1.89L0 25293 00188 6Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Almond Vanilla1.89L0 25293 00168 8Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Coconut Original1.89L0 25293 00152 7Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Coconut Unsweetened1.89L0 25293 00244 9Up to and including 24 SE 27
Silk Oat Original1.75L 0 36632 07240 5Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Oat Vanilla1.75L0 36632 07241 2Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Oat Dark Chocolate1.75L0 36632 07239 9Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Oat Unsweetened1.75L0 36632 07532 1Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Oat Unsweetened Vanilla1.75L0 56800 72749 4Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Almond & Cashew Unsweetened1.75L0 36632 07235 1Up to and including 24 OC 04
Silk Almond & Cashew Unsweetened Vanilla1.75L0 36632 07234 4Up to and including 24 OC 04

The recalled products were manufactured for Danone Canada by a third party located in Ontario and distributed nationwide.

Danone has halted all production and shipments coming from this facility until further notice, pending completion of the investigation.

The CFIA has provided the following information and advice for consumers.

  • If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider
  • Check to see if you have recalled products
  • 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

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.


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Recalls and Alerts: July 6–8, 2024

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.



“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.

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Available from all major on-line retailers, including:


Outbreak/Illness Investigations

Canada: CFIA reports that an investigation is underway an outbreak of foodborne illnesses. No details are available as yet.

Norway: The Norwegian Institute of Public Health is investigating an increase in the incidence of Salmonella Typhimurium infections as compared to the past three years. Cases have been reported from all over the country and are distributed across all age groups.

United States

No Alerts

Canada

Food Safety Recall: I-D Foods Corporation recalls Al’Fez brand Natural Tahini (160g; Batch codes 3354 & 4004; Best before 2025 JN 20 & 2025 JL 04, respectively) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Danone Canada recalls multiple varieties and flavours of Silk brnd and Great Value brand plant-based refrigerated beverages due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

United Kingdom and Ireland

Allergy Alert (Ireland): FSAI advises that True Natural Goodness Giant Cous Cous (500g; All batches and all best-before dates; Product of USA) contains undeclared wheat (gluten).

Allergy Alert (Ireland): Marks & Spencer recalls M&S Chocolate Cornflake Mini Bites (180g; Best before 06 August 2024) due to undeclared hazelnuts (nuts), oats (gluten) and wheat (gluten).

Allergy Alert (UK): Marks & Spencer recalls M&S Chocolate Cornflake Mini Bites (180g; Best before 06 August 2024) due to undeclared hazelnuts (nuts), oats (gluten) and wheat (gluten).

Allergy Alert (UK): Japan Food Express Ltd recalls Daisho Hakata Ramen Noodle Tonkotsu (188g; Best before end of December 2024) due to undeclared sesame.

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Industry recalls Etoile de Provence Banon AOP raw milk goats’ cheese (100g; Best before 12/07/2024 & 19/07/2024; Product of France) due to Yersinia enterocolitica contamination.

Hong Kong and Singapore

No Alerts

Australia and New Zealand

Food Safety Recall (Australia): Jun Pacific Corporation Pty Ltd recalls Morigana Manna Bolo (34g; All best before markings and batch codes) due to contamination with foreign biological material.

Food Safety Recall (Australia): AB World Foods Pty Ltd recalls Al’Fez Natural Tahini Paste (160g; Best before 06 2025) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): AB World Foods Pty Ltd recalls Al’Fez Natural Tahini Paste (160g; Batch code 3355; Best before 06 2025; Product of Poland) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

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TAINTED formats 3
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.


Links to national recall sites

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Canada

Czechia (Czech Republic)

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland (Republic of)

Israel

Italy

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Norway

Romania

Singapore

Slovakia (Slovak Republic)

Spain (food safety alerts)

Spain (allergy alerts)

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United States of America (FDA)

United States of America (USDA/FSIS)


Recalls and Alerts: July 4–5, 2024

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.



“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.

“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News

Available from all major on-line retailers, including:


Outbreak/Illness Investigations

United Kingdom (Update): The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed 13 new cases of E. coli O145 illnesses in an outbreak that has now affected 288 individuals, sending approximately one-half of the victims to hospital. Cases have been reported in England (191), Scotland (62), Wales (31) and Northern Ireland (4). The outbreak has been linked to a type of lettuce used in sandwich products.

United States

Food Safety Recall: Al-Safa US LLC recalls Al Safa Halal Charcoal Grilled Chicken Seekh Kebab Grilled, Minced, Chicken Patty Kebab (12.1 oz; Batch 0605404; Date code NOV 30 25) and Al Safa Halal Fully Cooked Chicken Chapli Kebab Seasoned Chicken Patty (14.11 oz; Batch 0605416; Date code NOV 30 25) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Canada

Food Safety Recall: Pastina (Gatineau, QC) recalls Pesto and Pesto aux tomates séchées / Pesto with dried tomatoes (250 ml; All units sold up to 4 July 2024) due to potential for growth of Clostridium botulinum.

United Kingdom and Ireland

Allergy Alert (UK): Asda recalls ASDA Extra Special Sea Salt & Chardonnay Wine Vinegar Hand Cooked Crisps (150g; Best before 21 September 2024) due to undeclared milk

Food Safety Recall (UK): AB World Foods Ltd recalls Al’Fez Natural Tahini (160g; Batch codes 3355, 4004, 4023, 4024, 4039, 4040; Best before June 2025, July 2025 and August 2025) due to Salmonella contamination.

Hong Kong and Singapore

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): LIU MA KEE LIMITED recalls bottled preserved bean curd (255g; Best before April 16, 2025) due to excessive Bacillus cereus contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

No Alerts

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TAINTED formats 3
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News

Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?

Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.

Chapter 6. Birth of a Pathogen

TAINTED is available in digital format from all major on-line retailers. Press the button to go directly to your preferred digital bookstore.


Links to national recall sites

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Canada

Czechia (Czech Republic)

Denmark

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hong Kong

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland (Republic of)

Israel

Italy

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Norway

Romania

Singapore

Slovakia (Slovak Republic)

Spain (food safety alerts)

Spain (allergy alerts)

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United States of America (FDA)

United States of America (USDA/FSIS)