The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public, food service establishments, retailers, distributors and manufacturers, not to consume, serve, use, or sell certain beef products manufactured and sold by XL Foods (Est. 38) because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. This is an update to several XL Foods ground beef recalls since Sept 16, 2012.

Whole muscle cuts are added to the list of previously recalled ground beef products. These whole muscle cuts are associated with the same XL Foods manufactured dates as the previously recalled ground beef products.

This notice is the result of a detailed investigation being conducted by CFIA into the production of beef products at XL Foods, with the company voluntarily recalling all beef products produced on days when risks were higher than normal.

An initial list detailing the new products affected will be available from the company shortly. The trace out of affected products from XL may take some time because there are many secondary and tertiary distributors, manufacturers and retailers involved. While CFIA has identified the affected XL Food manufacture dates as August 24, 27, 28, 29 and Sept 5, 2012, further investigation is underway to trace out the specific consumer products and brands that are affected. Consumers will be updated through a series of notices as soon as affected products are identified.

Public Health Authorities are investigating several illnesses.

Consumers who are unsure if they have affected products are advised to check with the store(s) where they were purchased.

This voluntary recall is part of an ongoing food safety investigation. To stay informed of product updates throughout the investigation, consumers are also encouraged to subscribe to CFIA food recalls and allergy alerts at www.foodsafety.gc.ca (http://www.foodsafety.gc.ca/).

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The manufacturer, XL Foods Inc., (Est. 38), Edmonton, Alberta and various processors, distributors and retailers are voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For information on E. coli O157:H7, visit the Food Facts web page at:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/ecolie.shtml

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA’s Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca (http://www.foodsafety.gc.ca/). Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca (http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/).

Contacts:
CFIA Media Relations
613-773-6600