Backgrounder: Looking Into the Jellied Pork Recall

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

‘The CFIA confirmed that this was an isolated incident.’

By Matt Jones

On Oct. 16, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a food recall warning for Wagener’s brand ham in jelly due to listeria. The products that were recalled had been sold by a variety of Ontario retailers and could have been clerk-served, sliced, chunked, and sold in a variety of packages and branding. The CFIA urges customers who are unsure if they have purchased the recalled product to contact their retailer.

“This recall was triggered by findings by the CFIA during its investigation into a Listeria outbreak linked to Wagener's brand beef jelly tongue,” said a spokesperson for CFIA. “All retailers who received the recalled products from Wagener’s Meat Products and altered them by slicing, chunking, repackaging, and selling were listed on the recall notices.”

When asked if this was a systemic issue (perhaps stemming from a regulatory issue that should be addressed), the CFIA confirmed that this was an isolated incident. However, that isolated incident did affect products for a very long list of brands and stores in Ontario including Cataldi Fresh Market, Lady York Foods, Starsky Fine Foods, Coppa’s King City, Glogowski Euro Food, Nika Deli, Staropolskie Delikatesy, and Village Bake Shop. For a complete list of brands and retailers, visit recalls-rappels.canada.ca

For the uninitiated, listeria monocytogenes is a naturally occurring bacteria which can be found in soil, plants, rotting vegetables, sewage or untreated water.

Customers who become sick from consuming the recalled product should contact a healthcare provider. Symptoms of listeriosis can start as soon as three days after consumption and can include cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting, similar to food poisoning. Severe cases could see the bacteria spread to the brain, spinal cord and nervous system and could cause complications during pregnancy.

A listeria outbreak earlier this year led to a national recall of Silk and Great Value brand plant-based imitation milk products. In that case, three people died and 15 were hospitalized. The CFIA spokesperson noted that the agency conducts effectiveness checks to verify that recalled products have been effectively removed from distribution and that they work with industry to ensure that any issues that led to the recall in the first place are resolved.

“The food safety investigation is ongoing,” said the spokesperson. “If additional products on the Canadian market are determined to be affected, the CFIA will notify the public by posting recall information on the Recalls and Safety Alerts website and issuing food recall warnings when required. Consumers are encouraged to sign up for food recall notifications.”

CFIA did not disclose the specific causes of this listeria outbreak. A 2022 study from the International Journal of Food Microbiology noted that over 90 per cent of listeriosis infections were connected to deli meats.

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, there are three key methods to avoid listeria. First, refrigerators should be set extra cool, with the fridge at 4 C and the freezer at -18 C.

Second, the refrigerator should be cleaned of errant food waste immediately, to ensure the listeria cannot grow and spread to other foods. Finally, they emphasize the importance of observing expiration dates on packaging.

Representatives of Ontario Pork did not respond to a request for comment as of press time. BP