San Jose Valley Veal of California is recalling about 1,260 pounds of veal trimmings that may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. There have been no reports of illness associated with the consumption of this product. The problem was discovered when a customer tested a shipment of the veal and reported "non-negative" results. The recalled product is 60 pound cardboard box cases of "SAN JOSE VALLEY VEAL AND BEEF INC." boneless beef veal trimmings. The boxes may contain case codes L-1 11112," "L-1 11212," "L-1 11512," "L-1 11612," "L-1 11712," "L-1 11812" or "L-1 11912" and may also bear the establishment number "EST. 2828" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The veal was produced between November 1 and November 9, 2012, and transported to a federal facility for further … [Read more...]
After E. coli Recall, Outbreak XL Foods Cleared To Ship To US
The United States Department of Agricluture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) has cleared XL Foods Inc., Establishment 38, of Canada to resume exports to the US effective Friday, December 7, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). An E. coli outbreak linked to a beef recall by XL Foods sickened 16 people in four Canadian provinces. The recall, which began September 4 with raw beef trimmings from the plant in Alberta, expanded almost 20 times, eventually growing to include an estimated 2.5 million pounds of beef in the U.S. and an untold number of kilos in Canada. The CFIA drew fire from Canadian media and workers at the plant on its handling of the recall, prompting the agency's president, George DaPont, to draft an open letter in an attempt to set … [Read more...]
Beef Tongue Recalled For Tonsils, Not Toxins
A tonsil recall? Yes, it's true. Almost 100 pounds of beef tongue produced by Black Earth Meat Market Inc. of Black Earth, Wis. is being recalled not for potential contamination due to the presence of a pathogen such as E.coli or Salmonella. Nor because a foreign material made its way into the packaging. Instead, the reason for the recall is tonsils which were not completely removed. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety ad Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations require that tonsils be removed from cattle of all ages because they may contain the infective agent known to cause Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease. There is no indication that any of the cattle slaughtered in connection with this recall displayed any signs of BSE. The recalled … [Read more...]
Cattlemen Want Antitrust Investigation Of JBS Purchase Of XL Foods
The Ranchers and Cattleman's Action Legal Fund (R-CALF) is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to initiate an antitrust investigation and issue an enforcement action to block JBS USA from buying properties from XL Foods, the Canadian company linked to a massive beef recall and E. coli outbreak. On October 17, JBS USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Brazil-based JBS S.A., announced an agreement with XL Foods to manage one of the company's Canadian operations. The agreement also provided JBS USA with an exclusive option to purchase Canadian and U.S. operations of XL Foods including: the Lakeside beef packing plant; a beef packing plant in Calgary, Alberta; a feedlot in Brooks, Alberta, and the adjacent farmland acreage; a beef packing plant in Omaha, Neb.; and a beef packing plant in … [Read more...]
CFIA Releases Letter From Embattled XL Foods in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has released a letter made public yesterday that was sent to them by XL's co-CEOs Brian and Lee Nilsson. The letter states that there will be "top down [changes] throughout the organization." The official CFIA Inspection Report describes the inspection of the facility and problems found during the inspection. And the CFIA sent a list of Corrective Action Requests to the company based on that inspection. XL Foods' beef was recalled in a massive undertaking last month because it was potentially contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. There is an outbreak of foodborne illness linked to XL Foods beef in Canada. Promised changes include re-validation and increased computer monitoring of the hot water wash intervention and a modified pre-evisceration carcass … [Read more...]
XL Foods Beef Recall Expands for 19th Time
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expanding the recall of XL Foods beef for the 19th time. The products may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. XL Foods mechanically tenderized steak is linked to an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 16 people in Canada. The recall includes Top Sirloin Steak Fast Fry with UPC number that begins with 216026, best before dates from September 6 to October 2, 2012, and sold from Real Canadian Superstore and Extra Foods in AB, BC, MB, NT, ON, SK, and YT. Also recalled are Boneless Beef Tenderloin Steak in 2.64 kg packages. The UPC number ends with 339, code EST 479 12SE21, distributed by Hallé Services Alimentaires in QC. Boneless Beef Tenderloin, with no UPC number, and EST 38, sold in September 19 and 27, 2012 from Les Viandes P.P. … [Read more...]
CFIA Chief On XL Foods Beef Recall: Let’s Set A Few Things Straight
The XL Foods beef recall is as large as its namesake and twice as confusing. The recall, which began September 4 with raw beef trimmings from the plant in Alberta, has expended almost 20 times and now includes and estimated 2.5 million pounds of beef in the U.S. and an untold number of kilos in Canada. It has also been linked to an E.coli outbreak that has sickened 16 people in four Canadian provinces. As the recall has expanded, so has the amount of disinformation. At least according to George DaPont, president, of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) , which is overseeing the investigation of the recall. The main problem as DaPont sees it? The media. To set the record straight, he penned an open letter about the agency and its investigation of XL Foods making three … [Read more...]
JBS Takes Over Troubled XL Foods Beef Plant
XL Foods announced this week that it was giving control of the Alberta Canada plant to the world's largest beef processing company: JBS of Brazil. Beef from that facility, which has been closed since September 28, 2012, is linked to an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 16 people in Canada. If XL sells the facility to JBS, they will receive $100 million in the deal. JBS will not assume any XL Foods debt or liabilities. The facility has recalled millions of pounds of beef products, including ground beef, roasts, steaks, jerky, and other foods since September 17, 2012. The recall has been expanded 18 times. The Canadian government said that the change in management "will not affect the CFIA's assessment" of the facility. So far, the CFIA's test results in their … [Read more...]
XL Foods Beef E. coli Outbreak in Canada Grows to 16 Cases
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada have updated the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak linked to beef from XL Foods. As of October 19, 2012, sixteen people are now ill with the outbreak strain of the bacteria. That's an increase of one case since the last update. The case count is as follows by province/territory: Alberta (7), Newfoundland and Labrador (1), Quebec (5), and British Columbia (3, one a visitor to Canada). You can find a complete list of the products recalled at the CFIA web site. Dozens of recalls have been issued over the past month in response to the original recall. Look over the list of recalled items carefully. If you have purchased any and have any in your home, discard them immediately. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and … [Read more...]
XL Foods E. coli 0157:H7 Recall Expands for the 17th and 18th Times
The recall of beef products for E. coli 0157:H7 produced at the XL Foods plant in Canada has grown for the 17th and 18th times. This recall is linked to an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 15 people in Canada. Janet's Jerky is recalling 2 pound bags of Old Fashioned Beef Jerky with no UPC numbers and purchase dates from September 17 to October 10, 2012. The products were distributed in New Brunswick. They are also recalling 2 pound bags of Old Fashioned Beef Jerky - Hot & Spicy Cajun with the same purchase dates and distribution. Also recalled is corned beef sold at l’Entrepôt de Viandes from September 11 to October 10, 2012 in Quebec. On October 12, 2012, the CFIA announced more recalls. Nortown medium ground beef, La Préférence filet mignon and Côte de boeuf … [Read more...]
