Toronto Public Health confirms two cases of Listeria and advises residents of a food safety investigation
Article Published October 4, 2024
Article Source: Toronto Public Health confirms two cases of Listeria and advises residents of a food safety investigation – City of Toronto
Toronto Public Health (TPH) has confirmed two cases of Listeria in the city. As part of its ongoing investigation, TPH has identified sliced ready-to-eat deli meat products sold by Summerhill Market as testing positive for Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for the illness in the cases.
The affected meat products will have a label indicating they were packaged at 446 Summerhill Avenue. They were sold on or before Thursday, October 3 at the following Summerhill Market locations:
· 446 Summerhill Ave.
· 1054 Mount Pleasant Rd.
· 484 Eglinton Ave. W.
· 1014 Bathurst St.
· 3609 Dundas St. W.
· 32 Wellington Street West, Aurora, York Region
The affected meat may not look or smell spoiled but it may still cause sickness. While TPH continues its investigation, residents are advised to immediately dispose of or return these sliced ready-to-eat deli meat products to the location where they were purchased. Residents who consumed these products are advised to dispose of them, watch for symptoms of Listeria and seek medical attention if they appear.
As part of its investigation, TPH staff have completed an extensive risk assessment, collected samples of the surfaces and food for testing and ordered a thorough cleaning of the premises and equipment.
Listeria monocytogenes
Individuals who are most at-risk of getting ill from Listeria include older adults, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems. These individuals should avoid high-risk foods that are more prone to contamination such as ready-to-eat meats, soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk and raw fruits, and vegetables.
Symptoms of listeriosis can start as early as three days and as late as 70 days after eating contaminated drink or food and can include fever, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, constipation and muscle aches. In severe cases, the bacteria can spread to the nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) and lead to stiff neck, confusion, headache and loss of balance.
If residents are showing signs and symptoms of Listeria infection, please contact your local health provider for testing and treatment. For more information, you may also contact Toronto Public at 416-338-7600 or publichealth@toronto.ca.
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Toronto Public Health Media Relations