More salads sold in Canada affected by listeria contamination recall

Some salad kits across Canada and the U.S. continue to face recalls following an outbreak of listeria at an American dairy product manufacturer.

READ MORE: Costco recalls salad kit over possible listeria contamination

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA) has issued recalls for several salad kits which were sold in Ontario and four other Canadian provinces. They include:

• Dole branded Chop Kit – Avocado Ranch (319 grams)
• Dole branded Suprême Kit – Southwest Salad (369 grams)
• President’s Choice branded Southwest – Salad Kit (369 grams)

Last week, Costco engaged in a similar recall for a salad kit it had sold.

The outbreak stems from U.S.-based dairy product manufacturer Rizo Lopez Foods and affects products nationwide.

So far, there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products in Canada, according to the CFIA.

In America, however, there have been at least two reported deaths associated with the outbreak.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says there has been a total of 23 hospitalizations and 26 illnesses as well.

Listeria monocytogenes is a kind of bacteria that can lead to listeriosis infection when consumed. It can be found almost anywhere and is commonly spread by improper food handling practices.

According to Health Canada, symptoms can begin to show within three days of eating food contaminated by the bacteria and may show up in one of the following ways:

• fever
• nausea
• cramps
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• headache
• constipation
• muscle aches

In severe cases of listeriosis, it can spread to the nervous system, cause blood poisoning or brain infections and sometimes even be fatal.

For more information, visit the recall information page here.