Levitts Foods (Canada) Inc. Deli Meat Recalled Under Several Brands Due to Listeria in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for several Levitts Foods (Canada) Inc. deli meats sold under three brand names: Levitts, Compliments, and The Deli-Shop. These deli meats are potentially contaminated with food borne illness causing bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. The United States is also currently suffering from a Listeria outbreak thought to be caused by contaminated deli meat, though no source has been found and the outbreak and Canadian recall have not been connected. The following products have been recalled:
Compliments (BEST BEFORE 2020/DE/11 EST 48)
Montreal-Style Smoked Meat (175g) UPC: 0 68820 13357 5
Smoked Beef Pastrami (175g) UPC: 0 68820 13360 5
Corned Beef (175g) UPC: 0 68820 13356 8
Levitts (BEST BEFORE 2020/DE/23 EST 48)
Corned Beef (150g) UPC: 8 82756 72084 1
Montreal Style Smoked Meat (150g) UPC: 8 82756 71084 2
New York Style Pastrami (150g) UPC: 8 82756 73084 0
The Deli-Shop (BEST BEFORE 2020/DE/11 EST 48)
Sliced Pastrami (175g) UPC: 0 59749 95373 3
Sliced Pastrami (2 x 175g) UPC: 0 68820 13360 5
Consumers are advised to not consume the deli meats; rather dispose of it immediately or return it to their store of purchase for a refund. As of date, no illnesses have been reported due to the contaminated deli meats. Consumers can contact Simon Larochelle of Levitts Foods (Canada) Inc at 514-367-1654 or the CFIA regarding any questions over the recall at toll-free at 1-800-442-2342 or by emailing [email protected].
According to national food safety lawyer Ron Simon: “It is entirely possible and probable for more infections to be reported due to the outbreak. As the public becomes more aware of the outbreak, consumers are more likely to recognize and report their symptoms, which can include typical food poisoning illness, but also symptoms of meningitis and, unfortunately, miscarriages and even still births.”
According to the CDC, Listeria monocytogenes is the food borne illness causing bacteria that causes the infection listeriosis. Listeriosis can be a severe infection for those with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, children, those with autoimmune disorders, and pregnant women, who are at the upmost risk. In pregnant women, listeriosis often presents as flu-like symptoms, such as a fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. Pregnant women are 10 times more likely to be infected with listeriosis than anyone else and the infection often results in a severe infection in the fetus and even the loss of the fetus. In those that are not pregnant women, listeriosis symptoms include confusion, a stiff neck, loss of balance, fever, muscle aches, and a headache. Symptoms of listeriosis typically develop 1 to 4 weeks after consumption, though cases have presented symptoms as early as one day and as late as 70 days after exposure. If you believe you are suffering from listeriosis, contact your physician immediately for the best course of treatment.
