Foodservice operations in Canada are being warned not to serve Wholesome Farms brand ice cream cups made for multi-national supplier Sysco Corp. because federal tests showed Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Central Smith Creamery of Selwyn, Ontario, recalled the Wholesome Farms brand “Vanilla Sundae Cup” products Friday, according to a notice on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website.
Distribution details were unclear, with the recall notice indicating foodservice operations at hotels, hospitals, nursing homes and other unidentified institutions received the ice cream. The recalled ice cream was sent to the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, and possibly nationwide.
“This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products,” according to the recall. “Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below. Food service institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes, should not serve or use the recalled product.”
Public health officials are concerned people may have unused portions of the recalled ice cream in their homes. No illnesses had been reported in connection to the recalled ice cream as of Friday.
“Check to see if you have recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased. Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick,” according to the recall.
“Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die.”
The recalled ice cream can be identified by the following label information:
- Individual Wholesome Farms Vanilla Sundae Cups in 115 ml containers with the product code 017032 and no UPC number; and
- 48-count cases of Wholesome Farms Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae Cups in 115 ml containers with product codes 7382200017032029 and 2/1/17 and a UPC number of 00074865915427.
Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled ice cream and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctors about the possible exposure to the pathogen.
It can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptoms to develop, so anyone who has eaten any of the recalled ice cream is urged to monitor themselves for symptoms of infection for the coming weeks.
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