News Release                            For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                     August 20, 2008

Deli-Meat Food Recall

The Grey Bruce Health Unit has not received any reports locally of illness related to a nation-wide recall of meat products due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Seventeen Public Health units across the province are investigating thirty-seven cases of Listeriosis that have occurred primarily among elderly patients. A province-wide increase in Listeriosis has been observed since June 2008. Most of the cases have been associated with nursing homes, retirement homes or hospitals.

On August 17, 2008, The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods issued a voluntary recall due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes for “Sure Slice” brand sliced meat products* distributed nationally. These products are primarily distributed to food service institutions such as restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes. Inspectors from the Grey Bruce Health Unit have contacted food service operators at hospitals, long-term care facilities and retirement homes within the Grey Bruce asking them to hold the Maple Leaf Sure Slice deli meats that are under investigation and discard the recalled products. Public Health is working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Listeriosis can be severe and can cause meningitis, encephalitis or sepsis. Mild illness can cause flu-like symptoms, fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. Infections in pregnancy can cause mild symptoms, but can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal disease. The incubation period is from 1 day to more than 3 weeks. Treatment is with appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Listeriosis is a severe but rare infection caused by consumption of the bacteria Listeria

monocytogenes from contaminated foods. Common implicated foods include unpasturized dairy products and foods contaminated after processing such as hot dogs, cold cuts or deli meats. Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled and the bacteria can proliferate even if the food is stored in the refrigerator. Illness occurs most commonly in the elderly, pregnant or immunocompromised individuals.

*See CFIA website for most current list of food recalls:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/recaltoce.shtml

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Attachment: Listeriosis Backgrounder 

For more information:

Dr Hazel Lynn

Medical Officer of Health

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 269