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| Last updated at 10:54 PM on 28/08/08 |
Listeriosis outbreak death toll hits eight; 29 confirmed cases, 36 suspect 
JESSICA MCDIARMID
The Canadian Press
TORONTO — A nationwide outbreak of listeriosis that has claimed at least eight lives and been linked to bacteria found in meats made by Maple Leaf Foods is ‘‘an outrageous situation’’ that never should have happened, says a national consumer advocacy group.
Eleanor Friedland, vice-president of the Consumers Council of Canada, said Thursday she doesn’t believe the federal government when it says consumer safety is a priority.
‘‘If that’s the case, how come (so many) people have died and we don’t know how many more will be showing symptoms?’’ Friedland said.
‘‘The ball fell through and consumer confidence is right down the tubes, with respect to government and companies like Maple Leaf. It’s absolutely outrageous.’’
Friedland’s comments came on a day that saw the number of deaths conclusively blamed on the outbreak jump to eight from five, and included a funeral for an eastern Ontario woman whose sudden death Monday is being blamed by family members on listeriosis.
Frances Clark, 89, was remembered Thursday as being ‘‘full of fun’’ by her friend Shirley Sutton following a funeral in the town of Madoc, Ont., that was attended by some 60 people.
Family members have said Clark, who suffered a separated shoulder in a fall last month, spent time in a hospital and a nursing home before falling ill.
Reports say both institutions served recalled Maple Leaf meat products, but the family is still waiting to hear from medical officials whether Clark’s case was part of the nationwide outbreak.
Friedland called on the federal government to ramp up inspections and for municipal and provincial governments to bully Ottawa into paying attention to the matter, which she said she plans to make a major election issue should Canada head for a fall vote.
‘‘It’s affecting more and more people than you can possibly imagine,’’ Friedland said, adding she has heard from many concerned citizens in the wake of the outbreak and recalls of Maple Leaf products.
‘‘School lunches are going to have to be re-thought, hospitals, cafeteria — this is a major, a major, consumer issue.’’
She also demanded an answer for how Maple Leaf foods came to be contaminated with Listeria in the first place, adding that she would not accept company president Michael McCain saying the root of contamination may never be traced.
‘‘It’s nonsense. They have to find out what caused this so that it can never happen again,’’ Friedland said. ‘‘If they don’t find out, how do I know that next month it’s not going to happen again? Or with some other products? More care has to be put into how our food is prepared.’’
Late Wednesday, Sobeys Inc. voluntarily recalled a variety of cooked ham and salami sandwiches sold at Sobeys, Foodland and IGA stores across Ontario.
The items, which carry ‘‘packed on’’ dates up to and including Aug. 24, contained meat that was recalled by Maple Leaf Foods the very same day, when it pulled all items produced at a Toronto facility linked to a nationwide listeriosis outbreak.
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29/08/08
© 2009 
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me not you from ns writes: hey sh-t happens they didn't do it on purpose - people in the amherst area are dying of cancer at an alerting rate - are we breaking down the doors at town hall asking what the hell is in our drinking water ? no - why not ? we are more worried about the poor people who use the y but don't want to pay the going low rate .
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| Posted 28/08/2008 at 11:59 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Jason Warham from Halifax, Nova Scotia writes: actually whoever you are, the water is tested in Amherst and in the outlying areas quite regularly.
Are you suggesting we leave the food on the shelves and take our chances when a known problem currently exists?
I hope you can send a card to the woman who lost her daughter in alberta with a sh-t happens on it.
Maybe when its *you not me* I'll say the same thing.
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| Posted 29/08/2008 at 7:50 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Frank Speaker from NS writes: With a 90 day incubation period we are going to need lots of luck ,thankfully most of the hearty meat eaters have strong immune systems and will make it . IMO
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| Posted 29/08/2008 at 5:28 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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MENOTYOU from ns writes: poor jason - where did you read where anyone said leave it on the shelf? duh
your logic is as usual out in left field .
The maple leaf company have claimed they made a mistake - not on purpose - but a mistake .
They will pay their dues in court - people will have a hard time prouding without a doubt their product killed anyone .
but they will still pay just to make their image look good .
jason would you like a sandwich ?
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| Posted 29/08/2008 at 8:28 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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