Another death blamed on listeriosis outbreak

A death in British Columbia is being linked to the current listeriosis outbreak that started at a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto, say health officials.

The death marks the first casualty of the outbreak outside of Ontario, where eight others have died since news of the outbreak broke almost two weeks ago.

Earlier in the day, Maple Leaf Foods widened their recall while the mayor of the Ontario town hit by a deadly e-coli outbreak eight years ago called for an inquiry into the current outbreak of listeriosis.

Charlie Bagnato, mayor of Walkerton, Ont., says he's "shocked" that the federal government hasn't learned the lessons of his town's tainted-water tragedy in 2000.

Seven people died and thousands more fell ill in Walkerton after E. coli was washed into the town's water supply.

He says food security and public safety should never be sacrificed in the name of cutting costs.

Bagnato's call went out on the same day nearly 50 more products were added to the recall list, which are listed on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) website.

Many of the products -- including hospitality and party trays, submarine sandwiches and wraps -- were sold in Sobeys and Foodland stores throughout Atlantic Canada.

The items have best-before dates up to and including August 25, 26 and 27.

A variety of turkey sandwiches made and sold in Ontario at Loblaws, Loblaw Superstore and Real Canadian Superstore are also listed.

Three types of submarine sandwiches made and sold at Loblaws and Provigo stores in Quebec have been recalled along with four products sold at IGA, Bonichoix, Tradition and Omni stores in the province.

Another seven products sold at IGA and Sobeys outlets in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been added.

White House Meats Inc. has also recalled oven roasted turkey breast sold at two of its Toronto locations.

The number of confirmed deaths in Canada being blamed on a nationwide outbreak of listeriosis jumped on Thursday from five to eight before the announcement of today's ninth victim.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada there are 29 confirmed cases of the outbreak strain in the country and 35 cases under investigation.

With files from the Canadian Press

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  To determine if a Maple Leaf Foods product is affected by the recall, look for either a Crown Seal with the establishment number 97B or an inkjet imprint of Est97B (shown here) near the Best Before Date associated with the recall. (Maple Leaf Foods Inc. / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  A sign at a grocery store in downtown Ottawa assures customers that all recalled Maple Leaf Foods products have been removed from their deli counter on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)