The Decibel How Canada’s food inspectors missed a deadly listeria outbreak
Dec 18, 2024
In this discussion, investigative reporters Grant Robertson and Kathryn Blaze Baum delve into the harrowing Canadian listeria outbreak linked to plant-based milks, which tragically resulted in three deaths. They uncover the alarming fact that the food facility associated with the outbreak hadn't been inspected for years, raising serious questions about Canada's food safety protocols. The duo explains the failures of a new inspection algorithm that was supposed to prioritize high-risk sites but instead overlooked crucial inspections, highlighting the profound impact on affected families.
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Muriel Sampson's Story
- Muriel Sampson, a 76-year-old grandmother, died after consuming contaminated plant-based milk.
- Her family believes the Canadian food safety system failed them.
Listeria Outbreak Severity
- The listeria outbreak linked to plant-based milk is one of Canada's most serious, involving 20 illnesses and three deaths.
- The true impact is likely higher, as not all cases are reported, and miscarriages aren't included in official figures.
Understanding Listeria
- Listeria is a bacteria that thrives in cool, damp environments and can contaminate food products after pasteurization.
- While treatable with antibiotics, it poses severe risks to vulnerable populations, causing blood infections, meningitis, and death.