Questions and Answers - CFIA Investigation into Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. (E. coli O157:H7)
Background on the recall
Why is this product being recalled?
Loblaw Companies Ltd. has initiated this recall because certain Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn beef burgers may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. On December 5, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) notified the CFIA of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses potentially linked to a common food source - hamburgers from Cardinal Meat Specialists Limited. Based on this information, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) immediately launched a food safety investigation, which included extensive testing of samples collected at the retail level across the country.
What should the public do if they have the recalled products?
Consumers should dispose of any recalled product or return it to the store where it was purchased.
How many products are being recalled?
Recall details are available on the CFIA's website and reported on HealthyCanadians.gc.ca.
What is the total volume of recalled product?
For specific information on the volume of the meat that has been recalled, contact Loblaws Customer Relations at customerservice@loblaws.ca or 1-800-296-2332.
Will there be additional recalls from this company?
CFIA inspection staff are continuing with the food safety investigation and testing. If any additional products are determined to be affected, these products will also be recalled from the marketplace.
Which companies supplied beef to Establishment 752?
The ingredients were purchased from various Canadian and international suppliers. These ingredient sources are being examined as part of the CFIA investigation.
Did XL Foods Inc. supply ingredients to Establishment 752?
Yes, XL Foods Inc. is one of several ingredient suppliers.
Is this E. coli O157:H7 strain the same as the one identified at XL Foods Inc. earlier this year?
No. The unique identifiers for each of these strains of E. coli O157:H7 are not the same.
Did Establishment 752 test their products for E. coli?
Robust testing requirements for raw beef material that is used in the production of ground beef is in place in Canada and all slaughterhouses and processors producing beef material for ground beef should test every lot for E. coli O157:H7. Since Establishment 752 buys raw beef materials from other suppliers, these incoming materials are already tested for E. coli O157:H7.
In addition, the CFIA conducts sampling and testing of ground beef on a monthly basis at all federally registered meat processing establishments. Establishments that only receive product for further processing (grinding) are not required to test for E. coli as the incoming materials are already tested for E. coli O157:H7.
Will this be another large beef recall?
Establishment 752 is a processing facility that uses ingredients supplied by various sources. If a contaminated ingredient is identified, additional products and facilities may be implicated, which could increase the number of recalled products. The CFIA will immediately alert the public if any further potentially unsafe products are identified.
Why didn't the CFIA initiate a recall as soon as it was made aware of the illnesses?
The CFIA takes action when it has science-based evidence that a product on the marketplace has been contaminated. This evidence was available through laboratory testing on December 12. Extensive national sampling and testing were implemented to confirm the source of contamination. All samples collected at the retail level were negative until December 12. Two presumptive positive samples provided the necessary evidence to initiate a food recall on the affected product.
How did contaminated product enter the marketplace?
The CFIA is conducting a review to assess how and where contamination may have occurred. The CFIA will trace back the food used in the production of these hamburgers to identify potential sources of contamination.
How will the CFIA determine the source of contamination?
The CFIA trace back investigation is focussing on the company's records to identify ingredients used in the production of the recalled burgers.
Is it possible that the source of contamination may not be found?
The detection of E. coli O157:H7 in beef processing facilities is not uncommon and even the best food safety controls cannot eliminate all potential opportunities for contamination. A detailed review is underway to assess how and where contamination may have occurred which resulted in two presumptive positives; however, it is possible that a single, definitive source may not be identified.
If E. coli is destroyed by proper cooking, why are contaminated products recalled?
Although cooking contaminated products to the proper temperature destroys E. coli, there are risks associated with cross-contamination during cooking and the potential for bacterial spread by infected persons. Therefore, as a precaution, products that may contain E. coli are recalled from the marketplace.
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