Frozen waffles recalled in Canada and the US due to possible Listeria contamination

Hundreds of frozen waffle products sold in Canada and the U.S. are being recalled after possible contamination with Listeria bacteria was discovered at an Ontario factory, the manufacturer said.

TreeHouse Foods said Friday it has issued a voluntary recall after discovering possible contamination during routine testing at its production facility in Brantford, Ontario. It said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and U.S. food regulators are aware of the recall.

The CFIA has not yet issued a recall advisory, but there are brands sold in Canada on TreeHouse Foods’ list of recalled products, including No Name, sold in Loblaws and No Frills; Walmart’s Great Value brand, sold in Walmarts across Canada; Metro’s Selection brand, sold at Metro and Food Basics; and Compliments, sold in Sobeys, Foodland and FreshCo stores.

TreeHouse has been published a full list of affected products.

Listeria infection can be fatal

Listeriosis – the disease caused by a Listeria infection – can cause vomiting, fever, headache and diarrhea, among other things. Although cases can be mild, infections can also be serious or even fatal. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the disease is most dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.

According to PHAC, approximately 134 cases of invasive listeriosis are reported in Canada each year.

TreeHouse said there have been no confirmed reports of illness linked to the waffles.

The company said consumers who have any of the products in their possession should throw them away or return them to the store for credit.

There have been several cases of listeria contamination in the past year that have prompted recalls.

CFIA recalled some plant-based beverages from its Silk and Great Value brands this summer after the products were linked to an outbreak of listeriosis. In Ontario, at least 20 people became ill and three people died.

In early October, a CFIA investigation into an outbreak of foodborne illness resulted in the recall of a number of beef jelly tongue products.