The food industry has been facing an alarming amount of bacterial infections caused by bypotentially lethal bacteria like Listera monocytogenes and E.coli. With over 65 recalls made by Health Canada since March, many companies, including many organic and health-conscious companies, are incurring heavy losses from the repeated recalls of their products. These companies include Kashi, CLIF Bar, Trader Joe’s, Cookin’ Greens Organic, and Organic by Nature, just to name a few.
Some of these products are top sellers among retailers, who also face the question that consumers have started asking: is any food safe?
Listeria is known to cause serious infections in children, weak or elderly people. It can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
E.coli is normally found in the intestines of animals—though can be contracted from raw vegetables. Healthy adults usually recover from infection, but young children and older adults have a greater risk of developing kidney failure.
The best way to ensure the health of your consumers is to communicate with your suppliers. You can also stay informed by checking the Health Canada recall list, as there have been updates almost daily, and your stock to verify whether you may have an infected SKU.
