Listeria death toll rises to 12

Canada has confirmed 26 cases of food poisoning including 12 deaths linked deli meats contaminated with Listeria. The products of concern were produced at a plant of Maple Leaf Food Inc. Reuters cited Canadian health officials as saying Monday.

 

Another 29 cases are waiting to be confirmed and more cases are expected in coming days, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz was cited as saying.

 

Maple Leaf Foods, one of Canada's biggest meat processors, have voluntarily recalled about 220 products produced at the plant, which is worth about $19 million.

 

The company said Tuesday it hoped to reopen the Toronto facility shut off due to the outbreak, but health officials said all meat produced there will be subject to testing to make sure it's free of contamination before being released.