Canadian meat packers lose licenses after "false, misleading" E. Coli lab information: CFIA

Dec 2 2019, 7:36 pm

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has cancelled three Safe Food for Canadians licences after what has been described as “a thorough and comprehensive review.”

Effective immediately, Toronto, Ontario-based Ryding-Regency Meat Packers LTD., Canadian Select Meats Inc. (operating under St. Ann’s Foods Inc), and The Beef Boutique LTD. (operating under St. Ann’s Foods Inc) can no longer slaughter food animals or prepare meat products for export, or to be sent between provinces or territories.

The decision was finalized after the CFIA identified, during a food safety investigation, that they had received “false or misleading information” from said licence holders with regards to E. coli lab results.

According to the government organization’s website, food businesses licensed under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and are considered to be in good standing with the CFIA.

The agency began a food safety investigation into the three companies in September 2019, when it was initially determined that some products were potentially contaminated.

The licences for the establishments were all suspended prior to the cancellations, to ensure public safety.

At that time, there were numerous — over 100, in fact — food recalls related to E. coli O157:H7 in various beef and veal products.

According to the CFIA, the food safety investigation is now complete. No additional recalls are expected in relation to this investigation.

Kayla GladyszKayla Gladysz

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