In summer 2024, an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to plant-based Silk and Great Value milks sickened 20 people across Canada, resulting in 15 hospitalizations and three deaths, marking the first foodborne illness outbreak linked to plant-based beverages in Canada’s history. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed its root cause investigation of the outbreak—which was unable to confirm the primary source of the contamination within the implicated production facility.
On June 20, 2024, Public Health Ontario reported the first case of listeriosis associated with the outbreak, as well as an initial detection of L. monocytogenes in a sample of Silk unsweetened coconut milk. CFIA confirmed the link between the illnesses and Silk and Great Value plant-based milk products, and initiated a recall on July 8. The beverages were produced at a Joriki Beverages facility in Pickering, Ontario, at which the affected production lines were shut down. Product and environmental testing confirmed the presence of L. monocytogenes in the Joriki facility.
CFIA was not able to confirm the primary source of the contamination within the Joriki establishment, which the agency says “is not uncommon with investigations regarding pasteurized products like plant-based beverages—Listeria cannot survive pasteurization.” However, cross-contamination could have occurred after processing.
The investigation did uncover that the Joriki facility did not properly implement environmental swabbing and finished product testing in compliance with Health Canada's Policy on L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. CFIA is following up with the facility to ensure corrective actions are completed and necessary safety measures are in place.
Additionally, although the Joriki facility was not previously considered “high risk” by CFIA and therefore was not subject to a license inspection by the agency, it visited the plant in response to consumer complaints received in 2018, 2019, and 2023–2024 regarding allergens, off-taste, and mold. Joriki was provided with corrective actions in each instance.
Resulting from CFIA’s investigation, production at Jokiri’s Pickering location has been fully halted, and significant cleanup and renovations are underway. Manufacturing will not resume until all necessary safety measures are in place, and until CFIA is confident the risk of contamination has been eliminated.
CFIA's Inspector General has begun an initial review of the circumstances surrounding the recall, and to identify risks that could lead to similar incidents. The Inspector General will also be inspecting manufactured food establishments, including those producing plant-based products, verifying that establishments are inspected appropriately under Canadian regulations, and analyzing consumer complaint trends to enhance risk modeling and inspection frequency. The findings from this review and investigation will inform updates to CFIA risk models.
