If you’ve recently purchased Eat Smart brand Asian Sesame Chopped Salad Kit, then it’s either you throw it out or return it to the store where you bought it.
After a quick check from the manufacturer, these salad kits may be contaminated with a harmful bacteria called Listeria.
Classified as a pathogenic bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) causes listeriosis, which brings about diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, muscle aches, and fever. Its effects can be more severe in people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, newborns, and pregnant women.
According to a warning by Health Canada on Tuesday, the effects of listeriosis in pregnant women can be so severe that it will lead to a possible miscarriage, premature delivery, or stillbirth. In addition, the newborn could also be exposed to life-threatening infections.
While there are still no reports of Listeria infection reported, authorities ask consumers to remain vigilant to keep possibly serious health issues at bay.
Although commonly marketed in Ontario, the Eat Smart brand Asian Sesame Chopped Salad Kit is also available in some stores all over the country.
