An E. coli outbreak linked to the XL Foods beef recall that has sickened 16 people in four Canadian provinces has raised food safety concerns among consumers in Canada, according to the results of a new Ipsos poll. Eighty three percent of Canadians surveyed said they were concerned about food safety, an increase of 6 percentage points since the last survey in 2010. The number of those who say they "trust in the safety of meat products" has dropped 9 nine percentage points to 77 percent, according to the survey. But only 44 percent say their fears will affect their consumption of beef for the short term and just 9 percent say the massive recall and associated outbreak will change how much beef they eat in the future. The poll results were released the same day that the Canadian Food … [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...]
E. coli 0157:H7 Illnesses Linked to XL Foods Beef Grow in Canada
The Canadian outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 linked to XL Foods beef has grown. Now, there are 15 confirmed cases: Alberta (7), Newfoundland and Labrador (1), Quebec (4), British Columbia (2). One case is a visitor to Canada. The two additional cases in British Columbia became ill in September. The massive recall of XL Foods beef, which started as a ground beef recall, has spread to the United States and has grown to include millions of pounds of intact cuts of beef such as roasts and steaks and beef products such as sausage. You can see the huge list of recalled products at the CFIA web site, and see the USDA's public health warning at their site. If you have suffered the symptoms of E. coli 0157:H7 food poisoning, including diarrhea which may be bloody, severe stomach cramps, and … [Read more...]
In Canada, Eleven E. coli 0157:H7 Cases Linked to XL Foods Recalled Beef
The Canadian outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 cases linked to recalled XL Foods beef has grown with eleven cases. The new case was discovered on Vancouver Island. All of the cases are a confirmed match to the bacteria found at the XL plant. And XL Foods beef is now being recalled in Hong Kong. A small portion of the company's products was shipped to local retailers in that city. The CFIA is going to begin a "detailed assessment" of the XL Foods facility today. The facility has been closed since September 27, 2012 and will not reopen until the owners have implemented corrective actions. The facility will be inspected to "verify that sanitary conditions of both the slaughter and processing areas of the plant, including all equipment, meet the requirements of Canada's Meat Inspection … [Read more...]
E. coli 0157:H7 Public Health Alert for XL Foods Beef Products Expands in U.S.
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service is expanding the Public Health Alert issued on September 28, 2012 for XL Foods beef products. The products, manufactured at the Canadian plant, have been recalled for possible E. coli 0157:H7 contamination. And at least 10 consumers in Canada have been sickened by E. coli 0157:H7 by mechanically tenderized meat produced at XL Foods. All beef and beef products produced on August 24, 27, 28, 29, and September 5, 2012 at the XL Foods plant are being recalled. Back in September, the FSIS reported that about 890,000 pounds of boneless beef trim were imported into the U.S. from XL Foods. Now, they estimate that about 1.1 million pounds of beef trim and 1.4 million pounds of primal and sub-primal cuts were imported. The primal and sub-primal cuts … [Read more...]
Canadian XL Food Beef Recall for E. coli 0157:H7 Expands for 16th Time
The Canadian recall of XL Foods beef for possible E. coli 0157:H7 contamination has expanded for the sixteenth time. The trace out of the beef to secondary and tertiary distributors, manufacturers, and retailers has resulted in this expansion. You can see all of the products, sizes, UPC numbers, code dates, and distribution of the recalled products at the CFIA web site. This time, ready to eat products made from XL Foods beef are recalled. They were sold under the brand name Africa Trading and include Biltong Hunters, Biltong Traditional, Chilli Bites, and Dry Sausage Traditional sold from bulk bins in British Columbia. In addition, raw beef products were sold under the brand name HanAhReum Mart, and sold at Urban Fare. Those products include kabobs, top sirloin steak, roasts, short … [Read more...]
