Plant milk recalled in Canada after two deaths from listeria

The bacteria Listeria monocytogenes are known to contaminate a wide variety of foods, clouding ready-to-eat meats, dairy products, and fruits and vegetables. It can also infest leftover food that becomes dangerous when stored too long or not properly reheated. If consumed, the bacteria can cause listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness that causes symptoms ranging from fever, chills, muscle aches, and fatigue to vomiting, diarrhea, and even seizures. In severe cases, infection with Listeria can lead to pregnancy loss or even death.

The news of contamination in Canadian plant-based milk follows several other listeria outbreaks in the U.S. In 2024 alone, BrightFarms spinach and lettuce kits were recalled over listeria concerns, as were numerous ice cream products from Totally Cool Inc. brands, including Hershey’s, Friendly’s and Jeni’s. Just on July 19, the CDC announced an investigation into deli meats that could cause listeria infections across the country.

Earlier this month, over 2,000 pounds of chicken products sold under the Al Safa label were recalled in the U.S. due to contamination risk, although no illnesses linked to the products had been reported at the time. It’s worth noting, however, that these products were actually imported from Canada. Health authorities have not made any public statements linking this recall to that of the non-dairy milk, but it may indicate a more widespread problem related to food manufacturing.