Plant-based Milk Listeria Outbreak

In early July, reports of a listeriosis outbreak prompted the Public Health Agency of Canada to investigate and subsequently recall "plant-based refrigerated beverages," commonly referred to as milks, sold under the Great Value (WalMart) and Silk labels across Canada.

Listeriosis is a serious infection, usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It can make people sick for up to two months, and affects

As of July 31, a total of 18 cases have been confirmed in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. This includes 13 hospitalizations and, sadly, 2 deaths.

The bacteria is linked to a recall of Silk brand almond milk, coconut milk, almond-coconut milk and oat milk, as well as Great Value brand almond milk. Most of the affected products have best-before dates up to and including Oct. 4. A list of affected products can be found here.