Hundreds of frozen waffle products sold in Canada and the U.S. are being recalled after possible contamination by the Listeria bacteria was detected at an Ontario facility, according to the manufacturer.
TreeHouse Foods said Friday that it issued a voluntary recall after discovering possible contamination during routine testing at its Brantford, Ont., manufacturing facility. It said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and U.S. food regulators are aware of the recall.
The CFIA posted an advisory on Monday warning that various brands of waffles were being recalled due to the risk of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The recalled products include numerous types of frozen waffles produced by No Name, sold in Loblaws and No Frills; Walmart’s Great Value brand, sold in Walmarts in Canada; Metro’s Selection brand, sold at Metro and Food Basics; Compliments, sold at Sobeys, Foodland and FreshCo stores; and Canadian brand Western Family.
CFIA’s advisory lists the specific products recalled in Canada, and TreeHouse has published a full list of affected products.
Listeria infection can be fatal
Listeriosis — the illness caused by Listeria infection — can cause vomiting, fever, headache and diarrhea, among other symptoms. While cases can be mild, infections can also be serious or even fatal. The illness is most dangerous to pregnant women, newborns, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
CFIA warned that food contaminated with Listeria bacteria may not not look or smell spoiled, but can still cause illness.
Around 134 cases of invasive listeriosis are reported in Canada annually, according to PHAC.
TreeHouse said there have been no confirmed reports of illness related to the waffles.
The company said consumers holding any of the products should dispose of them or return them to the store for credit.
There have been several cases of Listeria contamination prompting recalls in the last year.
CFIA recalled some plant-based beverages from the Silk and Great Value brands this summer after the products were connected to an outbreak of listeriosis. At least 20 people fell ill, and three people died in Ontario.
In early October, a CFIA investigation into an outbreak of food-related illnesses resulted in the recall of a number of beef jelly tongue products.
