16 E. Coli Cases Linked to XL Foods Beef

Canadian public health officials announced this week that 16 E. coli cases from 4 provinces have been traced to the consumption of beef produced by XL Foods.  A Quebec resident who became ill with An E. coli infection is the latest to be counted.  According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, E. coli cases associated with the consumption of XL Foods have been reported in Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and British Columbia.  One of the cases reported in British Columbia was a visitor, not a Canadian citizen.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) also announced that tests conducted on carcasses from the XL Foods plant returned negative for E. coli and that the agency was reviewing its observations of deboning and cutting activities, E. coli controls, meat hygiene, sampling techniques, and overall sanitation in the plant.    CFIA also announced that it had learned there will be a change in management at XL Foods Establishment 38.  To address public concerns regarding inspection at the XL Foods plant, the agency stated:  “The CFIA would like to remind everyone that the plant will not be allowed to reopen unless the Agency is confident that food safety controls are being implemented effectively and consistently. When the plant is allowed to reopen, it will resume normal operations under enhanced CFIA oversight, which will continue for as long as the CFIA deems necessary.”  XL Foods recalled nearly a million pounds of beef products from its Establishment 38 in September.  Some of that ground beef was shipped to the U.S.