At least one person is now confirmed infected and a November recall is being expanded as Levitts Foods Inc. continues to investigate Listeria contamination of deli meats.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s expanded recall notice did not include any additional details about the person sickened by Listeria monocytogenes. The notice lists eight specific meats. The initial recall on Nov. 22 only listed one kind of Compliments brand smoked beef pastrami.

In addition to more Compliments brand products, the expanded recall also includes Levitts brand and The Deli-Shop brand meat products. Distribution details are incomplete. The recalled meats could have been distributed nationwide, but were definitely sent to the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Nova Scotia, ontario and Quebec.

“This recall was triggered by CFIA test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated food recall warnings,” according to the recall notice.

There is concern that some of the implicated products may still be in consumers’ homes because of the products’ long shelf lives. The CFIA is urging consumers to check label information, or, if original packaging is not available, through away any potentially contaminated meat.

Consumers can use the following labeling information to determine whether they have the recalled products in their homes.

about Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.