A wide variety of brands of beef jelly tongue products have been recalled in Canada due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This recall was prompted by findings by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency during its investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak.
Illnesses associated with the consumption of these products have been reported.
Two dozen products are subject to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s recall. For a full list of products and label photos, click here.
The recalled products may have been sold by different retailers, either at the counter, in slices, in pieces, or in smaller packages, with or without a label that may not bear the same brand, product name, or expiration date. Consumers who are unsure whether they purchased the recalled product are advised to contact their retailer.
Consumers who have the recalled products should throw them away immediately.
The recalling companies are:
- Summerhill Market
- Wagener’s meat products
- Battaglia’s marketplace
- G Brandt Meat Packer
- Angelos Italian bakery market
- Starsky fine foods
- Staropolskie Delikatesy
- The Wild Hog Country Market
- Oceans fresh food market
- Pusateris
- Stemmler’s meat and cheese shop
- Italo food
- Nice market
- Coppas (Scarborough)
- White House Bloor
- McEwan Stores
- Scheffler’s Deli
- From Vincenzo
- Ocean fresh food market
- Coppas (Royal City)
About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell putrid, but it can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten recalled products and developed symptoms of a Listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about the possible exposure to Listeria.
Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms in the coming weeks, as it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.
Symptoms of a Listeria infection may include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headaches, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are needed to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other diseases.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people such as cancer patients with weakened immune systems are at particular risk of serious illness, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to preterm labor, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.