Loblaw Companies Ltd. is recalling President’s Choice brand sliced white mushrooms after tests showed contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The implicated mushrooms were distributed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia and possibly other provinces and territories, according to the recall notice posted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Government testing found the contamination in the mushrooms which have been distributed to retailers, hotels, restaurants and institutions.

As of the posting of the notice, no confirmed illnesses had been reported in connection to the recalled mushrooms.

The CFIA is urging consumers and other entities that have purchased mushrooms recently to check to see if they have the implicated product on hand. The mushrooms should be thrown away or returned to their place of purchase.

The recalled mushrooms can be identified by the following label information: 

The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. It is also verifying that industry is removing recalled products from the marketplace.

about Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled mushrooms and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure. Specific testing is required to diagnose the infections because they can mimic other illnesses.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.