Timeline of Events - CFIA Investigation into Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. (E. coli O157:H7)
December 24
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) completes its investigation into ingredients used in burgers produced at Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd.
December 18-19
The CFIA continues to trace back ingredients used in the recalled burgers through three lines of inquiry: spices, domestic beef ingredients and imported beef ingredients.
Genetic fingerprint testing for two remaining production dates for the recalled burgers continues.
December 17
The CFIA held a technical briefing in conjunction with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to inform the public of developments in the ongoing food safety investigation.
December 16
The CFIA confirmed a link between Butcher's Choice burgers and the five illnesses reported in Ontario and Alberta. All of this product was recalled from the marketplace between December 12 and December 15.
To date, the CFIA has determined that one production day of recalled burgers has the same E. coli O157:H7 genetic fingerprint as the reported illnesses. Recalled burgers from a second production day have been confirmed to have E. coli O157:H7 but they are not linked to any recent or current illness outbreaks. Genetic fingerprint testing for two remaining production dates for the recalled burgers are pending.
December 15
The CFIA held a technical briefing in conjunction with the Public Health Agency of Canada to inform the public of developments in the ongoing food safety investigation.
The CFIA issued a statement indicating that its investigation continues to focus on tracing the origin of the ingredients, including spices and beef, used in the Butcher's Choice Hamburger products that tested positive.
To this date, a total of ten product samples of Butcher's Choice burgers tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, representing four dates of production. All products that tested positive have been recalled.
The CFIA completed its investigation of other products associated with these four dates of production. As a result, the CFIA issued a health hazard alert warning the public not to consume Cardinal Select brand Prime Rib Beef Burgers because the product may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.
December 14
In collaboration with Loblaw Companies Ltd., the CFIA issued an expanded health hazard alert, warning the public not to consume Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn or Hickory Beef Burgers bearing all best before dates. Loblaw Companies Ltd. expanded the recall as a precautionary measure.
December 13
The CFIA held a technical briefing in conjunction with the Public Health Agency of Canada to inform the public of developments in the ongoing food safety investigation.
Three additional retail samples of Butcher's Choice Burgers tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.
The CFIA issued an updated health hazard alert to include the additional products that could be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria. These products were Butcher's Choice Hickory Barbecue Beef Burgers.
December 12
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) laboratories continued reporting preliminary test results for the retail samples submitted over the weekend.
Two of the retail samples were presumptive positive for E. coli O157:H7. Testing to confirm this result was initiated immediately.
CFIA requested a health risk assessment (HRA) from Health Canada based on the food safety investigation and epidemiological evidence collected to date.
CFIA issues a health hazard alert warning the public not to consume certain Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef Burgers.
December 11
CFIA inspectors continued to search for samples from retail stores across Canada.
A call was held with Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Health Canada, provincial health officials and the CFIA to discuss and provide updates on the current illnesses and the ongoing food safety investigation. Provincial public health officials reported that they were looking at an additional illness that may be linked to this cluster of illnesses.
CFIA laboratories began reporting preliminary test results for the retail samples submitted over the weekend. To date, these samples were negative for E. coli O157:H7.
The open product sample that was collected from the consumer's home on December 7 was confirmed positive for E. coli O157:H7. Because the CFIA could not confirm the identity of the product and manufacture date, a recall was not possible.
December 10
CFIA inspectors continued to collect and send samples from retail stores across Canada to CFIA laboratories for analysis.
A call was held with PHAC, Health Canada, provincial health officials and the CFIA to discuss and provide updates on the current illnesses and the ongoing food safety investigation.
December 9
Test results from the two product samples collected on December 7 from the consumer's home were received. The one sample that had been opened by the consumer was presumptive positive for E. coli O157:H7. Testing to confirm this result was initiated immediately; however, because this sample was open (i.e., not sealed in its original packaging) and did not include specific product and production information, confirmation of a positive result would not alone provide sufficient information to initiate a recall. The second sample that had not been opened by the consumer was negative for E. coli O157:H7.
December 8-9
CFIA inspectors visited over 300 retail stores and collected samples for delivery to various CFIA laboratories.
CFIA laboratories began testing the collected retail samples.
December 7
Two product samples were collected from the home of one individual included in the PHAC investigation. One of the samples had been opened by the consumer and was unlabelled and the second was still closed. These were submitted to a CFIA laboratory for testing.
Information gathering at Establishment 752 continued on site at the plant with the collection and review of production information and compliance history.
A comprehensive national sampling plan was issued for the beef burgers implicated in the investigation.
December 6
Public Health Officials confirmed of another illness case that had also consumed a certain frozen burger.
The CFIA continued the food safety investigation, including:
- identification of products to be sampled and tested;
- contacting retail stores related to the illnesses; and,
- information gathering at Establishment 752, such as production information, compliance history and availability of products for sampling and testing.
December 5
A call was held by the PHAC with Health Canada, provincial health officials and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Meeting attendees were informed of E. coli related illness with similar PFGE/MLVA patterns had been identified and had possible linkages to certain frozen burgers produced by Establishment 752, Cardinal Meat Specialists Limited.
The CFIA immediately initiated a food safety investigation.
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