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Recent revelations regarding a listeria outbreak stemming from a beverage production facility in Pickering, Ontario, have raised alarms about the efficacy of food safety inspections in Canada. Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Canadian Press disclose that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) cited the facility for multiple infractions, some of which experts believe may have fostered an environment conducive to listeria growth.
A Deadly Outbreak
The outbreak, which the Public Health Agency of Canada linked to plant-based milk products, resulted in 20 reported illnesses, 15 hospitalisations, and three fatalities. The CFIA’s inspection report, covering the period from June 26 to August 22, 2024, identified significant issues at the Joriki facility, which packaged soy, almond, and coconut milk under the Silk and Great Value brands. Following the recall initiated on July 8, 2024, the production line at Joriki was halted indefinitely.
Food safety experts have expressed concern that the conditions observed during inspections constituted “huge red flags.” Lawrence Goodridge, a food safety professor at the University of Guelph, remarked, “The CFIA should have been inspecting this plant at a much higher frequency. This could have been prevented.”
Inspection Failures
The CFIA has defended its inspection practices, asserting that it is the responsibility of businesses to ensure food safety. The agency’s approach has been risk-based, with Joriki classified as a low-risk facility in 2021. However, this classification is now under scrutiny as the agency adapts its models to reflect emerging food safety issues.
“The 2024 listeria outbreak underscored the importance of robust oversight in new product categories, such as plant-based beverages,” the CFIA stated, indicating that it is taking steps to enhance its inspection procedures.
Danone Canada, the distributor of Silk products, has refrained from commenting on the situation due to ongoing legal matters. The company, alongside Wal-Mart Canada Corp. and Intact Insurance Company, settled a $6.5 million class action lawsuit in November 2024 with consumers affected by the contaminated products.
Listeria: A Persistent Threat
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for this outbreak, poses a significant risk in food processing environments. Microbiologist Lori Burrows from McMaster University highlighted the dangers posed by inadequate sanitation measures, stating that peeling paint and condensation, both noted in the inspection report, create conditions ripe for listeria proliferation. “It’s like the difference between wiping your counter and wiping your lawn,” she said, emphasising the importance of thorough sterilisation in food production.
Moreover, the report indicated the presence of accumulated garbage and empty cartons in the loading bay, which could attract vermin that carry additional health risks. Goodridge characterised these findings as indicative of systemic failures in food safety protocols, suggesting that the facility may have effectively become a “haven for lister
