After a listeria outbreak Quebec's agricultural ministry went on a rampage confiscating and destroying thousands of pounds of locally produced cheese. Cheese producers and retailers suffered considerable financial losses and the government will not be compensating them because seizure was for public health and safety(aol news canada).
The outbreak began early September, with 1 death and 14 hospitalizations in Quebec and the Public Health Agency of Canada website said that, nation wide, there were 38 confirmed listeria cases, 20 suspected and 13 confirmed deaths (cbc news canada).
11 cheeses were recalled including:
Le Rang des Iles
Le 14 Arpents
Les Petits Vieux
Le Gédéon
Le Médard
Le Couventine
Le Cabrouet
Les Cailles
Le Fleur de Lysé
Le Fou du Roi
Le Rassembleu
Some claim that the government went overboard and some cheese was destroyed unnecessarily before being tested for listeria contamination. Quebec's ombudsman initiated an investigation into the handling of the listeria crisis.
(Side note: Remember listeria isn't just for the unpasteurized cheeses! Check out the 2006 US cheese recall.)
The outbreak began early September, with 1 death and 14 hospitalizations in Quebec and the Public Health Agency of Canada website said that, nation wide, there were 38 confirmed listeria cases, 20 suspected and 13 confirmed deaths (cbc news canada).
11 cheeses were recalled including:
Le Rang des Iles
Le 14 Arpents
Les Petits Vieux
Le Gédéon
Le Médard
Le Couventine
Le Cabrouet
Les Cailles
Le Fleur de Lysé
Le Fou du Roi
Le Rassembleu
Some claim that the government went overboard and some cheese was destroyed unnecessarily before being tested for listeria contamination. Quebec's ombudsman initiated an investigation into the handling of the listeria crisis.
(Side note: Remember listeria isn't just for the unpasteurized cheeses! Check out the 2006 US cheese recall.)