Siena Meats not linked to Listeria Deaths

Canada’s Ontario Ministry of Health has said there is no connection between five listeria deaths and cooked ham and salami produced by Siena Foods.

Preliminary results showed the meats recalled last week have different genetic fingerprints than Siena’s meats recalled in December, it said.

The ministry is still waiting for final laboratory results of a genetic match to Siena’s meats and consumers who became sick after eating the deli meat.

Siena Foods closed its Toronto plant and is sanitising its facilities under the supervision of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

So far this year, 14 Ontarians have come down with listeriosis.