In Canada, two consumers have tragically passed away due to listeria infections associated with the recall of plant-based milk alternatives from Danone and Walmart.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) identified cases of potential listeria monocytogenes contamination in Silk products owned by Danone and Walmart’s Great Value plant-based milks.
Silk mentioned on their website that the contaminated beverages were produced in a third-party manufacturing facility.
Additional ten individuals have been infected, with most cases reported in Ontario and one each in Quebec and Nova Scotia.
CFIA issued a voluntary recall of 15 Silk products, including almond, coconut, and oat variants.
Frédéric Guichard, president of Danone’s Canada division, expressed condolences and stated, “The news in this notice is devastating, and our most sincere sympathies go out to the families and loved ones during this difficult time.”
“We assure our consumers that we have conducted the recall and removed the affected products from retail shelves, working closely with our retail partners,” mentioned CFIA.
CFIA revealed that over 60% of infected individuals are above 60 years old, and 67% are female.
Guichard emphasized, “We are diligently investigating the circumstances surrounding this event with the authorities to ensure food safety, quality, and the health of our consumers remain top priorities.”
“Our commitment to providing updates as more information unfolds signifies our dedication to consumer well-being,” added Guichard.
Through the acquisition of WhiteWave Foods in 2016, Danone entered the dairy-free segment, introducing Alpro and Silk plant-based dairy alternatives.
In 2019, Danone expanded the Silk and So Delicious dairy-free brands in the US.
Recently in the UK, the first death linked to an E. coli scare from lettuce was reported, signifying a concerning trend in food safety.
This became the third company to recall products amidst the E. coli outbreak in the UK, indicating a critical situation surrounding food safety.
