On July 8, 2024, Health Canada (the Canadian equivalent of the FDA) announced the recall of 18 varieties of Great Value and Silk brand oat, almond, coconut, and nut milks sold and distributed in Canada due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. In Canada, three people have died and 20 others have been reported ill with laboratory-confirmed Listeria monocytogenes illness after drinking the plant-based milks, according to an August 12, 2024 update on the outbreak.

None of the affected products were distributed outside of Canada, according to spokesperson for Danone, which owns Silk (New York Times July 18, 2024). The products from Silk and Great Value were made in a third-party manufacturing facility in Ontario, a representative of Silk in Canada told ConsumerLab.

(See ConsumerLab’s Plant-Based Milks Review for tests of related products and CL’s Top Picks among them, which were purchased in the U.S. and not included in the recall in Canada.)

Infection with Listeria monocytogenes can cause symptoms including fever, headache, nausea, and diarrhea and can be fatal in those with weakened immune systems, children, and the elderly, and can lead to miscarriages in pregnant women.

Health Canada advised people who have the recalled plant milks (see list below) not to consume, serve, use, sell or distribute recalled products or any product made with them. People who think they may be experiencing symptoms of Listeria-related illness should contact their healthcare provider.

The plant-based milks included in the recall, which were sold and distributed in Canada and had a "Best By" date up to and including October 4, 2024, are listed below.
 

• Great Value Almond Beverage Unsweetened Original Size: (1.89 L) UPC: 0 25293 00244 9
• Great Value Almond Beverage Original Size: (1.89 L) UPC: 6 81131 34209 4
• Great Value Almond Beverage Vanilla Size: (1.89 L) UPC: 6 81131 34210 0
• Silk Almond & Coconut Unsweetened Size: (1.89 L) UPC: 0 25293 00250 0
• Silk Almond Original Size: (1.89 L) UPC: 0 25293 00100 8
• Silk Almond Dark Chocolate Size: (1.89 L) UPC: 0 25293 00135 0
• Silk Almond Unsweetened Size: (1.89 L) UPC: 0 25293 00150 3
• Silk Almond Unsweetened Vanilla Size: (1.89 L) UPC: 0 25293 00188 6
• Silk Almond Vanilla Size: (1.89 L) UPC: 0 25293 00168 8
• Silk Coconut Original Size: (1.89 L) UPC: 0 25293 00152 7
• Silk Coconut Unsweetened Size: (1.89 L) UPC: 0 25293 00244 9
• Silk Oat Original Size: (1.75L) UPC: 0 36632 07240 5
• Silk Oat Vanilla Size: (1.75L) UPC: 0 36632 07241 2
• Silk Oat Dark Chocolate Size: (1.75L) UPC: 0 36632 07239 9
• Silk Oat Unsweetened Size: (1.75L) UPC: 0 36632 07532 1
• Silk Oat Unsweetened Vanilla Size: (1.75L) UPC: 0 56800 72749 4
• Silk Almond & Cashew Unsweetened Size: (1.75L) UPC: 0 36632 07235 1
• Silk Almond & Cashew Unsweetened Size: (1.75L) UPC: 0 36632 07234 4

For more information, use the link below.

Public Health Notice: Outbreak of Listeria infections linked to recalled plant-based refrigerated beverages

See related recalls and warnings:

Smoked Salmon Recalled Due to Listeria Risk

Protein Bars Recalled Due to Listeria Risk

Oat Cereal Recalled Due to Listeria Risk