If there is Farm Boy, L'Ancêtre, or Life Smart organic cheese in your fridge, check it today. A nationwide recall has been issued over possible listeria contamination, and for some people in your household it matters far more than for others.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a Class 1 recall, its highest risk level, on October 14 for 12 organic cheese products sold under the Farm Boy, L'Ancêtre and Life Smart brands. No illnesses had been reported when the recall was issued, but listeria symptoms can take a long time to appear after someone eats contaminated food. The CFIA says its investigation is ongoing and may lead to more products being recalled.
What Makes Listeria in Food So Hard to Get Rid Of?
Listeria is a type of bacteria that is far more common than most people realize. Jeff Farber, director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety, told CTV News that it "can be found almost anywhere in nature," which is why recalls like this one are not unusual. Unlike many germs, it can keep growing at fridge temperatures, and it can settle into the cold, damp corners of food processing plants.
That is what makes listeria in food so tricky. The CFIA notes that contaminated food may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Canada has seen how serious that can be. In 2008, 22 people died after eating contaminated deli meat from Maple Leaf Foods, which led to tougher food safety inspections, and in 2024, three people died after drinking contaminated Silk and Great Value plant-based beverages. Farber said the push now is for plants to run proper environmental monitoring programs, so they can tell when listeria is in the plant and stop it from reaching the final product. It is the latest in a run of food alerts this fall, from questions about Driscoll's berries to a turkey gravy recall over an undeclared allergen.
Why Is Listeria in Pregnancy More Dangerous Than a Stomach Bug?
For most healthy adults, a listeria infection is mild. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist, told CTV News that "the real issue here is in vulnerable populations," where the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause meningitis, an infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. For everyone else, he said, it might mean a short bout of diarrhea that clears up on its own.
The people at higher risk are pregnant people, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system, and listeria in pregnancy is where the stakes are highest. According to the CFIA, an infected pregnant woman may have only mild, flu-like symptoms, but the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or stillbirth. In severe cases, the illness, called listeriosis, can be fatal.
The listeria symptoms to watch for include vomiting, nausea, a persistent fever, muscle aches, a severe headache, and a stiff neck. Because they can take a while to appear, a symptom that shows up well after you ate something is still worth taking seriously.
How Do You Check Your Fridge for Recalled Cheese in Canada?
Start with your fridge. Farber's advice is to look for the recalled products, throw them out, and then disinfect your refrigerator, since listeria can spread to other surfaces and foods. If you would rather not throw it away, you can return recalled cheese to the store where you bought it for a refund. The full list of products, sizes, and codes is on the Government of Canada recall notice, and because the investigation is still going, it is worth checking back over the next few days. The same kitchen habits that guard against salmonella and other germs, like handling raw chicken safely, help here too.
If someone in your home is pregnant, older, or immunocompromised, Farber said to "make sure they're taking all the precautions," which includes extra care with higher-risk foods like cold cuts. And if anyone who ate a recalled cheese develops a fever, muscle aches, or a severe headache, especially someone in a higher-risk group, do not wait it out.
A quick guide to the listeria symptoms, the people most at risk, and what to do about recalled cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long after eating listeria do symptoms start?
Listeria symptoms can show up within days, but they can also take several weeks to appear after eating contaminated food, which is why a fever or headache that starts well after a meal still counts. If you ate a recalled product and feel unwell, tell your doctor what you ate and when, especially if you are pregnant, older, or immunocompromised.
What should I do if I already ate the recalled cheese?
Stay calm, since a recall flags possible contamination and no illnesses have been reported when this one was issued. Watch for fever, muscle aches, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, or vomiting over the coming weeks. If you are pregnant, older, or have a weakened immune system, call your doctor even if you feel fine, and a virtual doctor visit can be a quick first step.
Does cooking cheese kill listeria?
Thorough cooking to a high internal temperature kills listeria, but that does not make recalled cheese safe to keep. The CFIA advises against eating, serving, or using recalled products in any form, so throw them out or return them rather than melting them into a dish and hoping the heat takes care of it.
Why are pregnant people told to avoid deli meats?
Cold cuts and other ready-to-eat deli meats are a known source of listeria, which can grow even in the fridge. Because listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or stillbirth, pregnant people are advised to avoid them unless they are heated until steaming hot. Ask your doctor or midwife which foods to skip.
If you or someone you live with ate one of the recalled cheeses and starts feeling unwell, you can book a visit at a walk-in clinic near you on Medimap for a quick assessment, and find more food safety guides in the Medimap Health Hub.
Disclaimer. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you have a high fever, a stiff neck, confusion, or other severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For other concerns, talk to a doctor.
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