Federal officials expand beef recall list for 17th time
Posted Oct 11, 2012 8:37 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Consumers are being warned to do their research before heading into the grocery store; the list of recalled beef has once again been expanded.
This is the 17th time federal officials have added products to the list of meat that may be contaminated with E. coli.
There are now more than 2,000 different cuts and name brands being pulled off of store shelves.
The plant at the centre of the nation’s largest meat recall, XL Foods, remains closed.
Its Co-CEO Brian Nilsson has issued a statement defending the company’s actions after accusations of ignoring food safety from their union.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 President, Doug O’Halloran, held a media conference Wednesday telling reporters plant managers have been refusing to meet with them.
O’Halloran says the production line at the facility was sped up and issues were going unnoticed.
Hours later, Nilsson issued a statement saying he’s saddened by the union’s actions.
He writes, “XL Foods has an open door policy for its workers and has always welcomed their input on plant operations.”
Nilsson adds XL runs its production line at speeds less than the industry average for a facility its size.
There’s no word yet on when the plant could re-open; the Brooks facility has been closed since September 27th.
Some cattle groups are hearing it could take several weeks.
Workers are being paid for 32 hours each week the plant remains shuttered; some employees, like Jenn Lupanko, say it’s been tough.
“It’s quite difficult when you have a family, you have rent, bills, cars; but you do what you have to do, right?” says Lupanko. “We’re not making our full pay but it is better than nothing.”
Officials at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are now reviewing a pre-inspection report from the facility on Tuesday.
A spokesperson says it’s the first in a multi-step process towards resuming production in Brooks.
She adds the agency didn’t receive the report until late Tuesday and will be looking it over carefully before commenting.
The CFIA plans to provide an technical update for media at 10 o’clock Thursday morning.
