The Decibel How Canada’s food inspectors missed a deadly listeria outbreak
Dec 18, 2024
In this discussion, investigative reporters Grant Robertson and Kathryn Blaze Baum delve into the harrowing Canadian listeria outbreak linked to plant-based milks, which tragically resulted in three deaths. They uncover the alarming fact that the food facility associated with the outbreak hadn't been inspected for years, raising serious questions about Canada's food safety protocols. The duo explains the failures of a new inspection algorithm that was supposed to prioritize high-risk sites but instead overlooked crucial inspections, highlighting the profound impact on affected families.
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Origin of Contamination
- The contaminated plant-based milk was traced to a facility in Pickering operated by Jariki and contracted by Danone Canada.
- The contamination likely happened between pasteurization and packaging, but the exact source remains unknown.
Sonia Jabin's Story
- Sonia Jabin, a pregnant PhD student, lost her baby after consuming contaminated oat milk.
- She tested positive for listeriosis, along with the placenta, amniotic fluid, and the fetus.
Tyler McMahon's Story
- Tyler McMahon, a healthy 27-year-old, suffered paralysis after consuming contaminated almond milk in protein shakes.
- Though not officially diagnosed with listeriosis, he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, a consequence of listeria.