Raw beef E. coli recall list continues to grow

NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY

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Raw beef recalled due to E. coli contamination

OTTAWA  – The public warning issued on September 29, 2012 has been updated to include additional products.

Previously identified products included in this recall can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website.

The CFIA is warning the public, distributors and food service establishments not to consume, sell, or serve the beef products described below because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The affected products are associated with the same XL Foods manufacturing dates of August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5, 2012, as the previously recalled ground beef products.

The trace out from XL to secondary and tertiary distributors, manufacturers and retailers could result in a large number of affected products over a wide range of codes and dates.

Click here to view the  products, made from beef voluntarily recalled by XL Foods (Est. 38), affected by this alert.

The CFIA is advising consumers who are unsure if they have the affected beef in their home to check with the store(s) where the product was purchased or throw it out.

There have been four E. coli O157 illnesses associated with the consumption of beef products originating from XL Foods Inc. (Establishment # 38).

This voluntary recall is part of an ongoing food safety investigation.

The CFIA is working with the recalling firms and distributors to identify and verify all affected products.

If additional affected products are confirmed, this table will be updated on the CFIA website.

To stay informed of product updates throughout the investigation, consumers are also encouraged to subscribe to CFIA food recalls and allergy alerts at this website.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled.

Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria my 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., Edmonton, Alberta and various retailers, processors and distributors 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 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

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

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA's Food Recall Report.

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit here.

Food and consumer product recalls are also available at this website.

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