Peterborough Public Health is advising the public of a recall of beef tongue jelly products following confirmed cases of food poisoning linked to the products, including one local case that originated from the sale of an affected product in Bridgenorth.
On Friday (October 4), Health Canada issued a recall of various brands of beef tongue jelly products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall was triggered by findings by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) during its investigation into a food-borne illness outbreak.
Listeria monocytogenes is a species of disease-causing bacteria that can survive and even grow under refrigeration and other food preservation measures. When people eat food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, they may develop a disease called listeriosis.
The recalled products may have been sold by various retailers, either clerk-served, sliced, chunked, or in smaller packages, and with or without a label that may not bear the same brand, product name, or best before date.
A list of the affected products and where they have been sold is available on the Health Canada website.
According to a media release from Peterborough Public Health issued on Monday (October 7), one case of listeriosis has been confirmed following purchase of a beef tongue jelly product at the Bridgenorth Deli at 871 Ward Street in Bridgenorth.
The deli, which sold the product before it was aware of the recall, is “cooperating well” with CFIA and the health unit regarding the recall of the product and the safety of their clients.
“Every effort is being made with the deli to contact the customers directly,” the health unit adds.
If you have purchased any of the recalled products, do not eat them. Throw them out or return them to the location of purchase. If you are ill and think you have consumed the product, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Health Canada estimates that there are about four million cases of food-borne illness in Canada every year. While listeriosis is a rare disease in Canada, some foods are more likely to carry the Listeria bacteria than others. Some higher-risk foods include refrigerated smoked fish, raw or unpasteurized milk, soft and unpasteurized cheeses, and ready-to-eat meats including pâté, deli meats, and hot dog wieners.
According to the Health Canada website, food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled, but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness.
Pregnant women, elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
