When Health Canada recalled chicken from Lilydale, a standard procedure was in place. Consumers were notified, a web page was devoted to the recall, and the public was told exactly what the recall was over: listeria monocytogenes. Health Canada even named the specific brand – the Lilydale brand Over Roasted Carved Chicken Breast – with the expiry date of April 28th. In this case, Health Canada did exactly what you'd expect them to do. But when Tilray, a Licenced Producer of medical cannabis, recalled one of their products, the response from Health Canada was quite different.
Health Canada representatives refused to answer some basic facts about the recall. What type of bacteria was found? How much was present? How could it have gotten in to the product? This is the complete opposite response one would expect from a public agency that – supposedly – has the public interest as a priority. Can you imagine if Lilydale had recalled their chicken, but then Health Canada refused to give details? And it's not merely a matter of not providing sufficient information. We contacted Health Canada specifically about this recall and they refused to give us any detailed answers.
And if this isn't odd enough, consider that in the case of Tilray's contaminated product, Health Canada did the testing themselves! Usually, as in the case of the Lilydale chicken breast, the company does the testing and orders the recall. After all, if a private company gets its customers sick, they could face bankruptcy. It is in the interest of Lilydale (or whoever) to catch a contaminated product before it reaches the market. But since humans err, Health Canada is there to act as a regulator of last resort. With medical cannabis, however, the situation is a little different and it is Health Canada who performed the test on Tilray’s product. There is a large difference between two times the legal limit and a thousand times the legal limit but Health Canada would not disclose how much over the limit the bacteria was, or even what kind of bacteria it was.
It is only through a media spokesperson from Tilray, via The Canadian Press, that we learned that the bacterium was enterobacter, but no word on how it got there. Health Canada doesn't actively engage with private companies over product testing. In this case we don't know if Health Canada followed up with Tilray to ensure that they, Tilray, were not misleading or downplaying the risks associated with their contaminated product. When pressed, Health Canada representatives amazingly stated that the bureau doesn't need that kind of information. They don’t need to know what type of bacteria was present and in what amounts.
Furthermore, Health Canada officials feel the public doesn't need to know the details of this recall. Their rationale was that the “data” wouldn't make any sense to an uninformed observer. You can imagine public response to such an attitude if this was approach taken with contaminated chicken. Apparently the public is equipped to understand the dangers of listeria, salmonella and E. coli, but not enterobacter.
~ Caleb McMillan
Tags: health canada, Lilydale, Recall Category: Featured
Add Pingback Please add a comment Posted by Michael Gutierrez on Mar 30th, 2015 Its not surprising due to the nature of the relationship between Tilray, Health Canada and the Globe and Mail. All Candians should be outraged. Posted by Chris on Mar 30th, 2015 Funny how they'll release all types of information that they're not legally allowed to, but something that should be public is covered up. Likely because of the behind the scenes relationship between Health Canada and Tilray. Humorous how the Globe & Mail will post negative articles about the other companies, but not Tilray. This government corruption and bias needs to be exposed as investors and consumers are being hurt financially and physically. It's unjust. Posted by j on Mar 30th, 2015 Enterobacter bacterium can cause some severe persisting infections while others strains are harmless. Either way this isnt something to take lightly, people's health and wellbeing are at risk.
Some potential contaminations include,
E. Agglomerans,
"Formerly called Enterobacter agglomerans, this bacterium is known to be an opportunistic pathogen in the immunocompromised, causing wound, blood, and urinary-tract infections. It is commonly isolated from plant surfaces, seeds, fruit (e.g. mandarin oranges), and animal or human feces."
also,
E. cowanni,
"The species is typically associated with natural environments and is found in soil, water, and sewage. E. cowanii is associated with plant pathogens that exhibit symptoms of severe defoliation and plant death."
These are 2 examples, there are more. Health Canada is asking for a lawsuit at this rate. Posted by Jim on Mar 30th, 2015 You are right HCS, the public is stupid only you know what is best for them. Oh by the way, why are you not concerned about health risks posed by a private company? Are your responsibilities set by the Canadien government different for public companies? Your ignorant public wants to know. Posted by TILRAY &HC IS CORRUPT on Mar 31st, 2015 It's pathetic and disgusting the corruption that exists in this banana republic of a country. HC & TILRAY should be investigated and many should face prison terms. TILRAY should lose their LIC ASAP. Posted by ohcanada on Mar 31st, 2015 This really needs to be investigated properly. Health Canada is harming the public by allowing a company who has ties to a major Canadian newspaper to be licensed without passing all the necessary requirements of the mmpr rules. Leave a Reply.
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