Salmonella outbreak in Canada sickens 69, linked to imported pastries

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) reports that 69 people have become ill country-wide due to a salmonella outbreak linked to imported pastries.

PHAC states the illnesses occurred between late September 2024 and early January 2025. Of the 69 reported cases, 22 individuals have been hospitalized. Quebec has the highest number of cases at 37, followed by Ontario with 24, four people in B.C., three in Alberta and one in New Brunswick.

PHAC reported that the ages of those affected by the salmonella outbreak range from three to 88. Fifty-nine per cent are women.

The affected products include Sweet Cream brand mini pastries. On Wednesday, two more pastry items—D. Effe T. brand Lemon Delights and Tartlets with Forest Fruits—were recalled due to salmonella contamination.

PHAC said these products were distributed to grocery stores, bakeries, hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and retirement residences. The pastries were also sold at catering events.

“Many people who became sick reported eating pastries at catered events or from other establishments where the recalled products were served or sold,” PHAC said.

“More recent illnesses may continue to be reported in the outbreak because there is a period between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported to public health officials. For this outbreak, the illness reporting period is between 13 and 42 days.”

Salmonella infection symptoms typically appear six hours to six days after exposure and can include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting. Most healthy individuals recover within four to seven days without treatment, but severe cases may require hospitalization, especially in young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

Contact your health-care provider if you become sick from consuming a recalled product. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased.