TORONTO – After a nationwide recall of various cheese brands was issued over a possible listeria contamination, health experts warn the common bacteria can be potentially dangerous. “The real issue here is in vulnerable populations,” said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist. “It can get into the bloodstream, and it can cause a meningitis … it can be a rather severe infection in certain cohorts. But in everyone else… you might have a self-limited diarrheal episode.” Symptoms of listeriosis, the illness caused by listeria, include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. No illnesses have been reported so far, but health experts caution that symptoms can take a long time to appear after someone eats contaminated food. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a Class 1 recall warning, its highest risk level, on Wednesday for 12 cheese products over possible listeria contamination. The products are sold under the Farm Boy, L’Ancêtre and Life Smart brands. What listeria does to the body Food contaminated with listeria may not look or smell spoiled but can still make people sick. For most healthy people, the infection is mild, but it can be serious in pregnant people, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. The CFIA says infected pregnant women may have only mild, flu-like symptoms, but the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or stillbirth. In severe cases, listeriosis can be fatal. “Pregnant women can get very sick ... and it’s one of the reasons why the guidance to pregnant women is to avoid certain products,” Bogoch said. “One of the products to avoid includes cold cuts, because listeria is known to be a common contaminant of those products.” What consumers should do “Consumers should be checking your fridge,” said Jeff Farber, director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety. Farber says the recalled products should be thrown out and refrigerators disinfected, since the bacteria can spread to other surfaces and foods. “If you have a high-risk individual that’s living with you… make sure they’re taking all the precautions,” Farber said. Customers can also return the recalled cheese to the store where they bought it for a refund. Why listeria keeps turning up Farber notes listeria recalls are not unusual because the bacteria is so common and can survive in cool temperatures. “Listeria is a very widespread organism,” he said. “It can be found almost anywhere in nature.” It is especially common in food processing plants, where it thrives in cold, wet conditions and can hide inside equipment. Canada has seen deadly listeria outbreaks before. In 2008, 22 people died after eating contaminated deli meat produced by Maple Leaf Foods, which led to more rigorous food safety inspections. In 2024, three people died after consuming Silk and Great Value plant-based milk products. While inspection and detection of listeria have improved, Farber says more can still be done. “I think we’re trying to push for the plants to have proper environmental monitoring programs so that they can tell when listeria is in the plant and prevent it from contaminating the final product,” he said. The CFIA says its food safety investigation is ongoing and may lead to the recall of more products.
