Frozen waffles from Whole Foods join Canadian recall list over listeria concerns

OTTAWA — Whole Foods Market is joining the growing list of brands whose frozen waffles have been recalled in Canada this week because of possible listeria contamination.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the newest recall spans the Amazon-owned grocer’s organic homestyle and blueberry waffles sold under the 365 Whole Foods Market label.

The agency says the waffles recalled by Horizon Distributors Ltd. were sold in British Columbia, but may have also made their way to other provinces and territories.

It adds there have been no reported illnesses associated with the waffles, but the agency is conducting a food safety investigation, which it says may lead to the recall of other products.

Dozens of frozen waffles from brands like Compliments, Great Value, Duncan Hines and No Name were recalled earlier in the week over similar listeria concerns.

Symptoms and causes of listeria

Listeria bacterium can cause listeriosis.

Symptoms of listeriosis can start as early as three days after eating contaminated food and may appear up to 70 days after exposure, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Symptoms can include fever, nausea, cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, constipation and muscle aches.

In severe cases, the bacteria can spread to the nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves). Symptoms of severe listeriosis include stiff neck, confusion, headache and loss of balance.

Listeria bacterium is found in soil, sewage and untreated water. It can also be found in foods such as meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables and dairy products.

It can get into fruits and vegetables if contaminated water is used on crops. They can also become contaminated from Listeria in soil and manure-based fertilizers.

Food manufacturing and processing facilities can also spread the bacteria if contaminated water or contaminated ingredients are used there, Health Canada says.

The illness is generally not spread between people, but those with weakened immune systems, adults over the age of 60 and pregnant women — including their fetus or newborn baby — are at heightened risk of listeriosis complications.

— with files from CKOM News

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