Capital Packers Inc., of Edmonton, Alberta has resumed operations after a temporary closure prompted by a November recall for possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) lifted the suspension of operations at the company’s Establishment 231, after additional testing and the completion of a food safety investigation,.
Capital Packers sells products under its own name and makes several products marketed under private labels. The recalled items were ham sausage products under the Capital and Compliments brands.. Capital Packers submitted a corrective action plan that addressed recall and traceback issues and it was approved by the CFIA which will continue to closely monitor operations at the plant. The company has also submitted a timeline for implementation of other corrective action plans related to general sanitation and maintenance issues such as: building maintenance, ventilation and storage.
There have been no illnesses reported in association with the recall. However, Listeria can cause severe illness. Unlike other foodborne pathogens, symptoms of Listeria infection, called listeriosis, can take up to two months after exposure to develop. Synptoms include headache, fever, stiff neck, muscle aches and nausea. Listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, miscarriage oe stillbirth. In addition to pregnant women, those most at risk include small children, seniors and those with compromised immune systems.
