WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) – Twelve people havenow died out of 26 confirmed cases of food poisoning linked to delimeats produced at a plant owned by Maple Leaf Foods Inc, Canadianhealth officials said Monday.

There are another 29 suspected cases of listeriosis, officialstold reporters, and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said thegovernment expected more cases in coming days.

Maple Leaf Foods, one of Canada’s biggest meat processors, hadsaid it hoped to reopen the Toronto plant associated with theoutbreak on Tuesday, but health officials said they will test andhold all meat produced there until they are satisfied it is notcontaminated.

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