November 15, 2007

 

Canada to widen beef recall

 

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) expanded its public alert not to eat certain beef products distributed by Ranchers Beef Ltd on possible E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria contamination.

 

The agency on Tuesday (November 13) also expanded its initial recall of beef product distributed by the Alberta-based producer to various retail outlets including Canora AG Foods in southern Saskatchewan made between June 12 and August 2. 

 

The Canora AG Foods recall includes boneless-blade steak, value pack PLU #161, cross-rib steak value pack PLU #112, and lean ground beef value pack PLU #156.

 

On November 3, the food watchdog issued a consumer warning and recall for lean ground beef hamburger patties distributed to B & D Meats in Weyburn between July 24 and July 31, inclusive; rib-eye steak and strip-loin steak sold by Boryski's Butcher Block in Saskatoon between July 30 and August 4 inclusive; and rib-eye steak and seasoned burgers sold through Jankes Meat in Weyburn between July 24 and July 29 and August 20 and August 26 inclusive.

 

The Ranchers Beef Ltd. recall also affected retail outlets in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.

 

The CFIA and Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. also issued a consumer alert on Tuesday not to eat Compliments brand frozen beef burgers with best before dates of May 8 because they may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. These products, which bear UPC codes 5574237055, 5574235724 and 5574236814, have been distributed nationally.

 

Cardinal Meat Specialists of Mississauga, Ontario, is voluntarily withdrawing the affected products from the marketplace despite its removal from market shelves as consumers who may have previously purchased these products may still have them. The company also advised buyers not to eat the burgers.

 

While there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of the Ranchers Beef products, the CFIA noted that there was one reported illness associated with the Compliments beef burgers produced and distributed by Cardinal Meat Specialists.

 

The list of affected stores and products will be updated as necessary while the CFIA's investigation and traceback continues into possible E. coli contamination.

 

E.coli contained food may not look or smell spoiled but consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses, such as permanent kidney damage. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea.