Maple Leaf Foods has now extended its recall of potentially tainted meat to include over 220 products, the company said today.
The Public Health Agency of Canada announced Saturday that the listeriosis outbreak hitting Canada is linked to the Maple Leaf Foods meat recall.
Three meat samples tested by authorities have been matched to a strain of listeria bacteria linked to the outreak.
Four deaths and 21 cases of listeriosis have now been linked to the outbreak.
Maple Leaf CEO Michael Cain admits confidence in the brand has been "shaken" by the move.
The recall will cost the company about $20-million, the company estimates.
Public health officials expect the number of cases to continue growing over the next few weeks since listeriosis has an incubation period of up to 70 days.
Dr. Mark Raizenne of the Public Health Agency of Canada says officials are now trying to figure out the exact cause of the listeria infection.
Listeriosis is a rare but potentially serious food-borne illness. Its symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.
A complete list of recalled products is available here.
