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Archived - CFIA Investigation into Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. (E. coli O157:H7)

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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed its investigation into ingredients used in burgers produced at Cardinal Meat Specialists Limited. These burgers were recalled as part of an E. coli O157:H7 investigation. Following extensive efforts, the CFIA has concluded that there is no evidence available to identify a source of contamination.

The Agency's investigation followed three lines of inquiry related to the ingredients - spices, domestic beef ingredients, and international beef ingredients.

CFIA investigators pursued all avenues of inquiry, including

Spices tested negative for E. coli and were ruled out of the investigation. It was also determined that international ingredients had met all import certification and testing requirements. Furthermore, there are no reported cases of illness in those countries with the same E. coli O157:H7 genetic fingerprint.

The CFIA has now confirmed that all available domestic beef ingredient products have tested negative for E. coli O157:H7.

As all lines of inquiry have been exhausted, the CFIA's investigation will not progress further.

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