A salmonella outbreak tied to deli meats has sickened 84 people and hospitalized nine. Health officials warn of cross-contamination at grocery counters.
Salmonella Cases Climb in Ongoing Deli Meat Outbreak
A salmonella outbreak connected to pre-packaged salami products has expanded across multiple provinces, sickening 84 Canadians and leading to nine hospitalizations since April, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
Infections Linked to Rea and Bona Salami Products
The outbreak is linked to specific deli meats: Rea brand Genoa Salami Sweet, Rea brand Genoa Salami Hot, and Bona brand Mild Genova Salami. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a product recall on June 10 in Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba.
Majority of Illnesses in Alberta
Alberta has reported the highest number of cases with 67 confirmed illnesses, followed by Ontario with 15, and Manitoba with one case. A single case in British Columbia was linked to travel in Alberta.
Risk of Cross-Contamination at Deli Counters
April Hexemer, director of outbreak management at PHAC, said that cross-contamination at grocery deli counters may be contributing to the outbreak. Improper cleaning of slicers and surfaces used to prepare both contaminated and uncontaminated products could be spreading the bacteria.
“In settings where a slicer is used, if a contaminated product is cut, there’s a real risk it could affect the next product,” Hexemer explained.
Symptoms and Health Risks
Salmonella is a foodborne bacterial infection that can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea lasting up to a week or more. While healthy people often recover without treatment, the infection can be severe and life-threatening for young children, seniors, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.
Reporting Delays and Ongoing Monitoring
Hexemer noted that the reporting process for outbreaks involves delays of 11 to 45 days due to lab confirmation and provincial reporting timelines. She also acknowledged that some cases in this outbreak have involved illness lasting up to 10 days, longer than the typical recovery period.
Advisory to Consumers
PHAC is advising Canadians to check product codes and avoid consuming affected deli meats. The recalled product codes include:
- 5035 226
- 5049 226
- 5020 228
- 5035 228
Consumers are encouraged to clean any surfaces or utensils that may have come into contact with the contaminated meats and practice proper food handling hygiene to avoid person-to-person transmission.
Food Safety Measures Urged for Retailers
Hexemer emphasized the importance of strict sanitation protocols at grocery store delis and sandwich counters, where shared equipment can spread bacteria if not thoroughly cleaned between uses. Retailers are expected to follow established food safety guidelines to protect consumers.
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