Health officials have connected a third death to the consumption of almond, oat, and other varieties of non-dairy milk that were recalled in Canada due to possible listeria contamination.

A warning was issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada on July 17, advising consumers to refrain from consuming specific refrigerated non-dairy milk products made by Danone Canada, sold under the Silk and Walmart’s Great Value labels. The consumption of these plant-based beverages has been linked to two deaths and 12 listeria infection cases.

The latest update released by the agency on August 12 reported a third death and eight additional cases, totaling 15 hospitalizations and 20 cases potentially linked to the outbreak. A majority of the cases (13) were identified in Ontario, with five in Quebec and one each in Alberta and Nova Scotia; individuals fell ill between August 2023 and early July 2024, according to the agency.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is still conducting its investigation and indicated that more products might be recalled. “Recent reports of illnesses may still arise due to the time gap between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is officially reported,” the agency noted.

The recalled items, which include almond, cashew, coconut, and oat milk, are labeled with Best-By Dates extending into September and October 2024 and were distributed solely within Canada, according to the agency.

Please visit the agency’s website for a complete list of the 18 recalled products.

The affected products have been taken off store shelves and from warehouses, said Frédéric Guichard, the president of Canadian operations for Silk’s parent company, Danone, in a July Instagram update. “From the moment the recall was issued, we halted production at the affected third-party facility. All products are now being manufactured at alternate locations.”

Guichard further mentioned that the company has intensified its product testing processes across its facilities.

Recent US Listeria Outbreaks: Deli Meats and Ice Cream

The U.S. has also experienced a rise in listeria outbreaks recently.

A listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head liverwurst and other deli meats has resulted in at least three deaths and hospitalizations for over 40 individuals across 13 states, sparking numerous lawsuits.

Another multi-state listeria outbreak tied to cheese from Rizo-López Foods of Modesto, California, led to two deaths and 23 hospitalizations. This prompted a nationwide recall in February, affecting products like salad and taco kits containing Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese, which were sold at retailers such as Albertsons, Costco, Walmart, Bristol Farms, and WinCo. Additionally, in July, Wiers Farm from Willard, Ohio initiated a recall for cucumbers and other vegetables sold in Aldi and Walmart stores across 13 states due to potential listeria contamination. Furthermore, a month prior, Totally Cool Inc. from Owings Mills, Maryland, recalled 68 ice cream products across 13 brands due to possible listeria risk. The FDA has reported no illnesses or complaints related to these recalls.

Understanding Listeria: Symptoms of Listeriosis

Listeria is a type of bacteria capable of contaminating food and causing infection upon consumption.

As per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the symptoms include fever, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal problems.

Each year, approximately 1,600 individuals are diagnosed with listeria, and sadly, about 260 succumb to the illness, according to the CDC.