The number of Canadians who contracted listeriosis from the same strain of bacteria found at Maple Leaf Foods in Toronto climbed to 45 last week.
Most of the cases, 35, are in Ontario. The others are in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec.
There are 15 suspected cases including one each in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
The disease caused 16 deaths in Ontario, B.C. and Alberta; another six deaths are under investigation.
Listeria bacteria likely lodged deep inside a particular brand of meat slicing machines. Maple Leaf Foods has since disassembled and sanitized 84 slicing machines at its Canadian facilities.
The company has also published an action plan to improve its food safety measures that will establish a chief food safety officer to implement standards beyond regulatory requirements.
As well, Maple Leaf will establish a food safety advisory council of leading experts to guide the company as it enhances its protocols.
