A variety of products containing cheese are being recalled in Canada due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The products are unbranded but are all available at Sobey banner stores. The stores in question are as follows:
- Atlantic: Coop, Foodland, Sobeys
- Ontario: Foodland, IGA, Safeway, Sobeys
- Western Canada: IGA, Safeway, Sobeys, Thrifty Foods
The recalled products were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.
The products subject to recall are:
About listeria infection
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look, smell or taste spoiled, but it can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten the recalled food If you experience any symptoms of Listeria infection with the product, you should seek medical attention and tell your doctor about your possible exposure to Listeria.
Additionally, people who have consumed the recalled product should monitor themselves for symptoms over the next few weeks, as it can take up to 70 days after exposure to listeria for listeriosis symptoms to appear.
Symptoms of listeria infection include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle pain, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are needed to diagnose listeria infection, which can mimic other illnesses.
People like pregnant women, the elderly, children, and cancer patients with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk for serious illness, life-threatening infections, other complications, and death. Infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, but the infection can cause premature delivery, neonatal infection, and even stillbirth.
