Aconite suspected to have poisoned dozen people at Markham restaurant: officials

Health officials in York Region say they believe they know what substance was involved in a poisoning event at a Markham restaurant and, at this point, do not believe the incident was intentional.

York Region’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Barry Pakes, spoke with Breakfast Television Tuesday morning and said they suspect the toxin aconite is what led to several illnesses.

York Region has since confirmed that it is aware of 12 people who became sick after eating at Delight Restaurant & BBQ in Markham, near Markham Road and Castlemore Avenue.

“It’s happened before,” Pakes said. “I don’t believe this is intentional, but that’s something for others to figure out.”

York Region Public Health began an investigation after noticing a number of individuals had become seriously ill after dining at the restaurant on the evening of Sunday, August 28, 2022.

RELATED: What’s aconite? More on the toxin suspected in food poisoning at a Markham restaurant

“About a dozen people had become ill in some way, only a small number of those severely ill,” Pakes said. “I don’t anticipate many more people, at least from that one event. The toxin we think is involved acts very quickly.”

He said the restaurant, which remains closed, continues to fully cooperate in the investigation. Delight Restaurant & BBQ has been cleared to re-open on Wednesday.

Aconite, or aconitum, is a highly toxic alkaloid coming from a perennial plant that can be found in Europe and Asia. It is also commonly referred to as wolf’s bane.

Pakes said officials are still awaiting testing to confirm it. Results are expected by the end of the week.

“Once we receive the lab results, York Region will continue to work with partners (Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Ministry of Health to ensure the contaminated product is not available elsewhere (such as in other food establishments, grocery stores),” York Region said in a release.

Pakes said aconite can occasionally accidentally be included in certain spices or herbal remedies. He notes a similar incident in British Columbia in March when the substance ended up in ginger root.

The patients who were most seriously impacted in this recent event in Markham have been treated, and their conditions are steadily improving.

“They were quite severely ill with this toxin, but they got the appropriate treatment at the appropriate time.”

Several people are seriously ill after suspected poisoning at Delight Restaurant & BBQ in Markham. Photo: CityNews.

Pakes added that investigators continue to work to find out where the substance came from and to ensure it is removed from shelves to avoid further incidents.

“This seems very much like a one-off incident as far as we can tell,” he said.

Anyone else who dined at the restaurant on Saturday or Sunday and is experiencing symptoms of illness is being asked to contact Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Pakes said symptoms of aconite poisoning include weakness, nausea, and dizziness. Other symptoms include numbness to the face and, in severe cases, the patient could fall into a coma.