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Local facilities monitoring for listeriosis; recalled meat pulled
While many organizations across the country have been affected by the tainted meat recall, in London, St. Joseph's Health Care (SJHC) officials said all but one of their major care facilities served recalled products to some patients, resident groups, staff and the public. Upon receiving the notice of the recall from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) however, St. Joseph's officials said all products from the 97B Maple Leaf Foods plant have been removed from all kitchens and retail services. In addition, though there have been no reported cases of listeriosis among patients, residents or staff, St. Joseph's infection control team is working with all nursing units to monitor for possible cases, and will continue this monitoring until the end of the incubation period. According to the CFIA, listeriosis can take as little as three or as long as 70 days after consumption before developing in the body, although infection usually occurs around three to four weeks after exposure. St. Joseph's facilities affected include: Parkwood Hospital, Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care and Regional Mental Health Care, London and St. Thomas. Recalled products were not in use for patients at St. Joseph's Hospital, officials said. "Patient safety is of the utmost importance, and we are in constant communication with the Middlesex-London Health Unit and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to stay apprised of any new recall developments," said Glen Kearns, integrated vice president, clinical support services at SJHC. "We are confident we have taken all immediate and necessary actions to respond to this most unfortunate issue and will continue to advise our patients, families, staff and care providers of any new information as it pertains to St. Joseph's." At London Health Sciences Centre, officials there said the deli meat recall has had little impact on their food services. "Patient Food Services at LHSC has never served any of the recalled deli meat products at any of the LHSC hospital sites, including: South Street Hospital, University Hospital, and Victoria Hospital, including Children's Hospital," officials said. One product, Maple Leaf sliced roast beef, was removed from LHSC cafeterias immediately upon receiving the notice from the CFIA. "No other items on the CFIA's expanded recall list have ever been served in LHSC cafeterias. Also, on-site hospital Tim Horton's outlets do not use Maple Leaf deli meats," LHSC officials said. Both patient and retail food services at LHSC are checking the CFIA website on a daily basis and monitoring the seemingly ever-expanding recall list to ensure no suspect products are used at any LHSC facilities. Additional facilities that served meat from the 97B plant include: London Bridge Child Care Services The YMCA of Western Ontario The Dearness Home for Seniors Fanshawe College Most recently, the CFIA and Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd., warned the public Wednesday (Aug. 27) not to serve or consume the certain Kirkland Signature brand platters as the products may be contaminated with Listeria. The recall was initiated after platters were found to contain a ready-to-eat deli meat product recalled by Maple Leaf. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these platters, said the CFIA. Kirkland Signature products affected by this alert include: Kirkland Signature Croissant Platter, UPC - 0 00000 29048 7, Best Before Dates – 08 AU 28; and Kirkland Signature Meat & Cheese Platter, UPC – 0 0000 10683 2, Best Before Dates – 08 AU 29. These platters were sold through Costco Wholesale stores nationally. Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacterium may cause listeriosis, a food-borne illness. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, however, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth, CFIA officials said. For more information, consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday to Friday). |
| Hello, The only meats we buy from Costco are things like pork loins, ground beef, Pillers deli meats - Black forest ham and Oven roasted turkey breat. Are those okay? |
| By: Michelle Nickerson on 08/29/2008 |
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