Increased surveillance for listeriosis due to recall of apple product
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is recalling sliced apples and products containing sliced apples produced by Sun Rich Fresh Foods Inc. in Brampton due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. CFIA is reporting one confirmed illness in Canada associated with the consumption of these products.
The product is offered as a menu option to patients at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. As the recall affects apple products with a best before date of May 17th, it is possible that patients may have received the product prior to the recall notice. Upon notice of the recall, all products with the lot numbers indicated in the recall were identified and removed from St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton facilities.
Along with Hamilton Public Health Services, the Infection Prevention & Control team at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is monitoring the issue closely across our patient population. To date, Hamilton Public Health has not received any reports of listeriosis associated with this recall.
In addition to hospitals, the affected apple products may have also been distributed in the community through places like retail stores, food service establishments, nursing homes and hotels.
Any recent St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton patients or visitors, or members of the community experiencing symptoms of listeriosis, as outlined below should seek attention of their Family Physician or visit your closest Emergency Room or Urgent Care Centre.
Please see below for additional information about listeriosis.
More information about the recall and a list of the recalled items is available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s by clicking here
What is Listeriosis?
Listeriosis is a rare foodborne infection caused by consumption of contaminated foods. Commonly implicated foods include unpasteurized dairy products and foods contaminated after processing such as hot dogs, cold cuts or deli meats. Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled and the bacteria can grow even if the food is stored in the refrigerator. Illness occurs most commonly in the elderly, pregnant or immunocompromised individuals.
Listeriosis can lead to mild illness with flu-like symptoms, fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. Infections in pregnancy and immunocompromised patients can also be severe causing meningitis, encephalitis or sepsis. It can also lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal disease. The incubation period is from 1 day up to 3 months.
Diagnosis is through laboratory testing and detection of Listeria monocytogenes, a gram positive rod, from CSF, blood, amniotic fluid, placenta, meconium or other sites of infection.