Open Letter: Facts Around CFIA Food Inspection

I wish to correct a number of errors and misinterpretations about the XL Foods Inc. E. coli situation currently circulating in the media.

First, contrary to assertions made by media, Canadian food inspectors do look at the overall conditions of the plant such as how the carcasses are washed and the sanitation of equipment. Inspectors from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are in federally registered plants during all hours of operation. They verify that companies’ food safety controls are being effectively implemented. If at any time, inspectors observe issues that could threaten food safety, they take immediate action. Maintenance, equipment and general sanitation are all inspected at set frequencies. Our inspectors focus on making sure that the controls needed for safe food are being followed.

Secondly, as trading partners, Canada and the United States regularly audit each other’s food safety systems. The bottom line is that any issues identified in the course of these audits are addressed so that companies can continue to export their products.

Media fail to mention that these audits only capture a snapshot of the situation in a plant, while CFIA inspectors have daily interaction with staff of federally registered meat establishments and make sure that preventive food safety plan is being implemented consistently and effectively.

As well, media have only used select information from certain audits and, as a result, paint a misleading picture of Canada’s overall food safety system. For example, media have highlighted certain graphic examples from a U.S. audit report but failed to explain that the same report noted that the “CFIA and the establishment took immediate and appropriate corrective actions.” Media reports also fail to mention that the XL Foods Inc. plant at the centre of the current E. coli issue has been audited by foreign countries ten times in the past three years. This plant has remained eligible to export its products up until just recently, which demonstrates foreign countries’ confidence in the facility and the CFIA’s oversight capacity.

Situations that require corrective actions are observed every day in meat plants on both sides of the border. Canada regularly audits U.S. facilities, and our findings are completely consistent with the types of observations U.S. auditors make when they assess Canadian plants. The important point is that when issues are identified, they are fixed.

Thirdly, the notion being presented in media that U.S. food safety authorities are more rigourous than their Canadian counterparts is untrue. Contrary to media reports, the CFIA found E. coli in product from XL Foods Inc. through our own routine testing on September 4. The U.S. informed us on the same day that they had also found positive samples in XL Foods Inc. product at the border. This information has been available on the CFIA’s website for weeks and has been explained in numerous media technical briefings.

It is important to remind Canadians that no product associated with the Canadian or American finds on September 4 entered the marketplace. We started investigating immediately and have been taking action ever since to protect consumers.

When food safety concerns are found, we take immediate action. We must base our decisions on verifiable, scientific information. And when we have evidence of serious problems, the CFIA may suspend a plant’s license to operate, which is exactly what we did in this case on September 27, 2012. XL Foods Inc. will not be allowed to reopen until we have determined that they are consistently implementing effective food safety controls.

Food inspection and recalls are complex but important topics. We are committed to working with all stakeholders, including media, to ensure that consumers have an accurate, clear understanding of Canada’s world-class food safety system.

George DaPont
President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency