CFIA recalls raspberries from Toronto-area markets over norovirus risk
The recall affects products sold at Summerhill Market locations in Toronto, York and Aurora up to Sept. 15.
TORONTO — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for certain raspberries and products containing raspberries sold at six Summerhill Market locations in Ontario due to possible norovirus contamination.
The recall was triggered by an investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak, the CFIA said in an alert issued Tuesday.
The affected products were sold from July 29 up to and including Sept. 15 at Summerhill Market stores at 446 Summerhill Avenue, 484 Eglinton Avenue West, 1054 Mount Pleasant Road and 1014 Bathurst Street in Toronto; 3609 Dundas Street West in York; and 32 Wellington Street West in Aurora.
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Summerhill Market said in a social media post that the recalled Alasko raspberries are in those products.
The CFIA said there have not been any reported illnesses associated with these latest impacted products, which were distributed in Ontario.
Consumers are advised to check if they have any of the recalled products and to throw them out or return them to where they were purchased.
A food safety investigation is underway and more recalls could be issued, the agency said. It is also verifying that the impacted products have been removed from the marketplace.
Earlier this month, the CFIA announced a recall of two Alasko brand raspberry products due to possible norovirus contamination. Those products were distributed in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
The agency said at the time that recall was triggered by an investigation into an illness outbreak and that there had been reported illnesses associated with the products, but did not specify how many people may have gotten sick.
"People with norovirus illness usually develop symptoms of gastroenteritis within 24 to 48 hours, but symptoms can start as early as 12 hours after exposure," the CFIA said.
"The illness often begins suddenly. Even after having the illness, you can still become re-infected by norovirus. The main symptoms of norovirus illness are diarrhea, vomiting (children usually experience more vomiting than adults), nausea and stomach cramps."
Other symptoms could include a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.
"Most people feel better within one or two days, with symptoms resolving on their own, and experience no long-term health effects," the CFIA said.
"As with any illness causing diarrhea or vomiting, people who are ill should drink plenty of liquids to replace lost body fluids and prevent dehydration."
"In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized and given fluids intravenously," the agency added.
With files from INsauga
Amara Okafor covers health, medical research and public health in Canada for Novello Desserts.