Canada Issues Update on Listeria Outbreak Causing Recall of Drinks Sold at Major Retailers Including No Frills, Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, and FreshCo.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has released an update on the Listeria outbreak linked to recalled plant-based refrigerated beverages. As of July 30, more people are falling ill and being hospitalized. The number of reported illnesses has risen to 18, with 13 hospitalizations.

On July 17, there were 12 reported illnesses and nine hospitalizations, according to the agency. Two fatalities have been attributed to the outbreak.

The 18 confirmed cases of Listeria monocytogenes infection include one in Alberta, 12 in Ontario, four in Quebec, and one in Nova Scotia.

People became sick between August 2023 and July 2024, the agency said.

“Many people who became sick reported drinking recalled plant-based beverages before their illnesses occurred,” the agency said in its outbreak update.

The affected individuals range in age from seven to 89 years old, with 67 percent being adults 50 or over and 72 percent being female.

Various Silk and Great Value brand plant-based refrigerated beverages have been recalled due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in a national warning to shoppers.

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your health care provider.