AHS allows seven Calgary businesses at centre of uninspected meat investigation to reopen

Seven of the eight Calgary businesses shuttered by Alberta Health Services (AHS) for receiving and selling uninspected meat last week have been allowed to reopen.

The food businesses, which included commercial and restaurant services, were issued closure orders between April 19 and 22.

AHS’ Environmental Public Health (EPH) unit has since verbally informed seven businesses those orders have been rescinded.

Four of these facilities reopened Wednesday, AHS says, three more reopened Friday, and others are expected to reopen over the next few days.

Before the businesses were allowed to reopen, EPH ordered all uninspected meat be destroyed and facilities be cleaned to the standards of an AHS public health inspector. Operators were also required to sign an agreement stating they would only acquire and sell food from an approved source.

Businesses no longer under closure order include Alta Halal Meat, Bismillah Meat and Grocery, Madina Halal Meat and Grocery, Mediterranean Halal Meats and Deli, Mustafa Madina Halal Meat and Grocery, Shawdesi Bazaar, and Shawdesi Foods & Catering.

Maher Fresh Halal Meat is still closed, according to AHS. In a report ordering the closure of the business, inspectors said the business was suffering from a “significant” cockroach infestation, and had live and dead cockroaches throughout the building.

AHS says it is not aware of any illness connected to the uninspected meat stemming from the eight businesses. However, anyone who bought meat or products containing meat from the businesses before April 23 should throw them out and watch for symptoms of gastro-intestinal bacterial infection. This includes leftovers brought home from any meals eaten at any of these businesses.

It adds that common symptoms of foodborne illnesses include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Some foodborne illness can cause a high fever and blood in your stool. Most of the time, foodborne illnesses are mild and go away after a few days.

AHS says it is working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Alberta Health, and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation (AAI), on an ongoing investigation into this issue.

RCMP investigating stores for illegal slaughtering

Shortly after the news of the business closures became public, the RCMP said it was investigating several Calgary stores for unlawful dealing and illegal slaughter of sheep and goats.

The livestock unit began investigating in November and involved a number of individuals, many rural locations, and several stores in Calgary.

RCMP say they notified AHS of seven stores that are part of the investigation.