Canada is in the midst of the largest beef recall in its history. To date, 1.9 million pounds of beef have been recalled, spanning every province and territory, 1,500 beef products, and more than 60 retailers.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) first found E. coli in early September, but it took 13 days for a recall to be issued. That recall has now been expanded 14 times since it was initially issued on September 16. XL Foods, the meat-packing plant responsible for the contamination, was not shut down until September 27.
XL Foods is one of the three largest slaughterhouses in Canada. Before its licence was suspended last week, it slaughtered 4000 heads of cattle each day.
The E. coli outbreak is being attributed to unsanitary conditions at the slaughterhouse.
XL Foods has attempted to minimize concern by informing consumers that E. coli is a “naturally occurring bacteria in cattle stomachs.” However, according to the CFIA, E. coli may cause “serious and potentially life threatening illnesses” that may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, seizures, strokes, kidney damage, and death.
It is too early to say how many individuals have fallen ill as a result of contaminated beef, as tests are ongoing. However, Saskatchewan alone reported 13 cases of illness due to E. coli in September, while Alberta reported 10. A nine-year-old girl has suffered kidney failure as a result of E. coli poisoning.
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