Contamination of plant-based milks traced to Ontario factory

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the recent Listeria contamination of several plant-based milks occurred in a Pickering, Ont., factory.

It says the contamination happened on a "dedicated production line" at Joriki, which is a third-party beverage packaging facility used by plant-milk manufacturer Danone Canada.

The agency says that the production line has been "completely disassembled while inspection at the facility is ongoing."

The Public Health Agency of Canada previously confirmed 18 cases of listeriosis linked to Silk brand almond milk, coconut milk, almond-coconut milk, oat milk and almond-cashew milk, as well as Great Value brand almond milk.

The confirmed cases were in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Nova Scotia and included 13 hospitalizations and two deaths.

Ontario's health ministry has said the deaths happened in that province, which local health units specified as Toronto and Peel.

Company says no indication other products affected

Joriki said it has been working with Danone and the federal food inspection agency as the inspection continues. The company said it immediately suspended production of the products at the Pickering plant after learning about the potential contamination.

"We were deeply saddened to learn that two Canadians have died from Listeria infections and wish to extend our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones, as well as any Canadian who has been harmed by the outbreak," Joriki said in a statement Wednesday.

"We have no indication that any other products are affected, as the recalled products were limited to one dedicated line at our Pickering plant."

WATCH | What consumers should pay attention to when food, drink products are recalled:  

Listeriosis expert unpacks plant-based milk recall and how to stay safe

5 months ago

Duration 5:01

Two people in Ontario have died after becoming sick with listeriosis linked to some Silk and Great Value plant-based milks. Catherine Donnelly, a professor emeritus at the University of Vermont who has studied listeria for decades, says consumers should pay attention to recall notices and look in their refrigerators if they think they may have consumed some of these products. Watch her full interview with Amy Smith.

The recall for the plant milks was first issued on July 8. Health experts have said that Listeria can make people sick up to two months after they eat or drink contaminated products.

"From the time you eat it to the time you have symptoms is what's causing this to linger," said microbiologist Lori Burrows, a professor in the department of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at McMaster University. 

The affected products have best-before dates up to and including Oct. 4 and the number 7825 in the product code, according to the recall notice.

"No production on this dedicated production line will restart until the necessary corrective measures are implemented and the CFIA is satisfied that any contamination has been identified and eliminated," the CFIA said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Danone Canada and Joriki Inc. (Pickering) have been fully engaged in the ongoing food safety investigation to determine the source of the contamination and are implementing corrective measures including enhanced safety and production protocols," the statement said.

Justin Giovannetti, a class-action lawyer with Slater Vecchio LLP in Vancouver, encouraged consumers who claim to have suffered injury after consuming one of the products to make notes about the circumstances of their illness, if possible.

"Individuals who consumed these products and got ill, they deserve access to justice," he said.