CFIA Finds Plant-Based Milks Facility Neglected Listeria Prevention Protocol

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has stated that an Ontario facility that produces plant-based milks was not following Health Canada’s guidelines for listeria prevention before an outbreak that resulted in three deaths.

According to the federal agency, the facility did not properly conduct environmental swabbing and finished product testing for listeria before a nationwide recall of various Silk and Great Value plant-based milk products on July 8.

The CFIA has reported that Joriki, a third-party facility in Pickering, Ont., utilized by Danone Canada, the manufacturer of plant milk, was not considered “high risk” before the contamination occurred.

However, the CFIA did inspect the plant after receiving consumer complaints about allergens and mold starting in 2018.

Health Minister Mark Holland referred to the outbreak as a “tragedy,” noting that it is the first time plant-based beverages have been associated with listeria illness in Canada.