A facility producing plant-based milks linked to a deadly Listeria outbreak failed to properly follow Health Canada’s policy on preventing contamination, officials said Tuesday.

Three Canadians have died in the listeriosis outbreak linked to certain Silk and Great Value herbal drinks.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Joriki, a third-party facility used by plant-based milk maker Danone Canada, was not considered high risk before the contamination.

But when Public Health Ontario notified the CFIA of a listeriosis outbreak and detected the microbe in a sample of Silk unsweetened coconut milk, the CFIA said it worked to confirm the link between the product, illnesses and deaths.

As part of the recall process that began in July, the CFIA made six visits to the Joriki plant in Pickering, Ontario, while verifying that the affected products had been removed from the market.

Inappropriate swabs and tests

“During its investigation, the CFIA discovered that the facility did not properly implement environmental sampling and finished product testing, in accordance with Health Canada’s policy on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods, which is why the CFIA is monitoring closely to ensure corrective action is taken and necessary safety measures are in place,” the agency said in a statement.

Production at the Pickering plant has stopped and cleaning and renovations are underway. “Manufacturing will not resume until all necessary safety measures are in place and we are confident that the risk of contamination has been eliminated,” the CFIA said.

More vigilance is needed, says Minister of Health

After question period, Health Minister Mark Holland called the situation a tragedy, saying any time a death occurs as a result of problems with the food supply, it is unacceptable.

Holland noted that a three-year investigation by the CFIA into plant-based milk alternatives found they pose a low risk for Listeria.

“Just because something is low risk doesn’t mean you shouldn’t adhere to these policies,” Holland said.

The science on what is safe can change, he said.

“When it comes to Listeria in herbal products, this turns the tables and makes us realize that we need to be much more vigilant.”

WATCH | Listeriosis and plant milks:

Listeriosis expert explains plant-based milk recall and how to stay safe

In Ontario, two people died from listeriosis linked to certain Silk and Great Value plant-based milks. Catherine Donnelly, a professor emerita at the University of Vermont who has studied listeria for decades, says consumers should pay attention to recall notices and look in their refrigerators if they think they’ve consumed some of these products. Watch his full interview with Amy Smith.

Listeria is usually linked to ready-to-eat meats and unpasteurized dairy products. The CFIA called this the first time plant-based drinks have been linked to illness in Canada.

Holland said when a company does not adhere to Health Canada’s microbe policy, it puts both human health and Canada’s reputation for food safety at risk.