XL Foods recalls additional 260 beef products over E.coli risk

Alberta-based XL Foods has voluntarily recalled 260 additional beef products due to possible E.coli contamination, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The products associated with the latest recall carry the same manufacturing dates – 24, 27, 28, 29 August and 5 September 2012 – as the ground beef products recalled in mid-September 2012.

About 13 E.coli infection cases have been reported in the last month in the Alberta province and health authorities are investigating to determine if these are linked to consumption of the recalled products.

The latest 260 varieties to be recalled have been sold by Entrepot de Viandes stores, Dominion outlets and Loblaws in Quebec; Brooks Meat Packers in Alberta; The Kitchen Table, Zehrs, Your Independent Grocer and Valu-Mart outlets in Ontario; Co-op, ValuFoods and Village Mart in the Atlantic provinces and Quebec; Real Canadian Superstore and Extra Foods outlets across several Canadian provinces; Real Atlantic Superstore in the Maritimes; and Save Easy stores in the Atlantic provinces.

This recall includes beef cubes, New York strip loin steaks, rib-eyes, all cuts of Kirkland Signature beef and short ribs, T-bones, rib roast, stir fry strips, round steak, sirloin medallions, minute steak, wing steak, flank marinating steak, sandwich steak, prime rib, boneless rib steak, blade steak, ground veal, rotisserie roast, pot roast and stew meat.

Last week, XL Foods’ facility was closed by the inspection agency following the recall of hundreds of beef products that began in mid-September due to possible E. coli contamination.

Four cases of E. coli infection have been linked to the consumption of beef products manufactured by XL Foods.

Foods contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled, but consumption of such foods can lead to diarrhoea, dehydration and, in the most severe cases, kidney failure, and it can cause serious illness in very young, elderly, and those with weak immune systems.

XL Foods, retailers, processors and distributors are voluntarily recalling the affected products while the CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.