Listeria monocytogenes Canada · 2008

Listeriosis outbreak linked to ready-to-eat meats from a Maple Leaf plant, Canada, 2008

The Public Health Agency of Canada reported 56 confirmed and 2 probable cases in seven provinces, about 75 percent of them in Ontario. PHAC said listeriosis was the underlying or contributing cause of 20 deaths in five provinces. The outbreak was linked to ready-to-eat meats produced at a Maple Leaf plant in Ontario. PHAC's internal lessons-learned review made four main recommendations.¹

Counts as reported on December 2008.¹ Food vehicle: Ready-to-eat deli meats. Company named in official findings: Maple Leaf (plant in Ontario).

Timeline

1. 18 August 2008Start of the media coverage period reviewed by PHAC (18 August to 1 October 2008).¹
2. 11 September 2008PHAC held an internal hotwash review.¹
3. December 2008PHAC lessons-learned report dated December 2008.¹

Sources

1. Public Health Agency of Canada, Lessons Learned: Public Health Agency of Canada's Response to the 2008 Listeriosis Outbreak (December 2008)