The Health Department is warning people in Nunavut to double check any plant-based beverages they might have in their fridge due to a possible listeria contamination. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a nationwide recall for 18 varieties of almond, oat, coconut and cashew beverages sold by the Silk and Great Value brands because contamination in some of these products has caused illness. The Health Department issued a public service announcement about the recall on Thursday.
Food contaminated with listeria bacteria may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick, the Health Department said in the announcement. Symptoms associated with illness caused by listeria can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. It can become a deadly infection in young children, pregnant individuals, elders, and people with weakened immune systems.
The Health Department is urging people who have any of these products with expiry dates up to and including Oct. 4 to throw out the products or return them to the store where they were purchased. The full list of recalled beverage types, with best-before dates and product codes, can be found here .
Anyone who thinks they have become sick from consuming a recalled product is advised to contact their local health centre..
