After hundreds of products recalled, CFIA releases update

A nation-wide beef recall has now been expanded to include unlabeled ground beef products sold in stores and medium ground beef at Wal-Mart locations in Alberta.

Following a massive voluntary recall of hundreds of beef products, which has been expanded seven times – the Canadian Food Inspection Agency released an update to the case, and said more products could be added to the growing list.

On Monday, the CFIA said it had finished its review of safety controls at the Edmonton-based XL Foods Inc. facility where E. coli was found.

According to the report, the review didn’t identify a single factor that would lead to the E. coli contamination – it’s believed the combination of a number of issues lead to the recalls.

Each of the deficiencies that were found would not, on their own, raise concerns.

The agency said E. coli is often present in slaughter facilities, and plants are expected to have measures in place to detect higher-than-normal rates.

Officials said that analysis was not always consistent, and deviations found from the company’s documented control measures were found.

Documentation showed the company was not always able to show it’s control plan was being regularly reviewed and updated.

The CFIA said now, XL Foods has developed a response plan, which has been accepted by the agency – who will monitor the company’s actions, and ensure they have been implemented.

To date, more than 250 products have been recalled, and as the CFIA is still collecting information, the number could still go up.

So far, no E. coli cases have been linked to the recall by national and provincial health officials.