Canadian E. coli O157:H7 Recall Expands

Sept 18, 2012 update.- The major Canadian ground beef recall has been expanded to include the following retailers: Loblaws, Extra Foods, No Frills, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Shop Easy, SuperValu, Superstore, Westfair, Your Independent Grocer, Sobeys, Foodland, IGA, Metro, Super C, and Entrepot de Viandes. Please refer to the expanded Health Hazard Alert for a detailed list of products, expiration dates, and provinces where they were sold.  

Following is the original eFoodAlert report, posted September 17, 2012:

XL Foods, Inc. (Edmonton, AB) has recalled ground beef products sold under the Calahoo Meats, Kirkland Signature, and Safeway brands, in addition to unbranded ground beef products sold in Walmart stores, because the meat may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the recall is “part of an ongoing food safety investigation.” Nevertheless, CFIA reports that no illnesses have been associated with the consumption of the recalled products.

The ground beef products were sold nationwide through distributors, retailers and food service organizations. Following is a list of recalled products, including distribution information:

Calahoo Meats

• 4/1 B.B. Burgers. 4.54 kg; Item  0200525; Lot 2244; Distributed in Alberta

Kirkland Signature (Costco)

• Lean ground beef 15% fat or less. Various weights; UPC starts with 2 21927; Pack Dates between 12AU30 and 12SE15; Distributed nationally
• Lean ground beef patties / 15% fat or less. Various weights; UPC starts with 2 52733; Pack Dates between 12AU30 and 12SE15 Distributed nationally
• Ground beef tube 86% lean full case / Manual weight. Various weights; UPC starts with 2 97420; Pack Dates between 12AU30 and 12SE15; Distributed nationally

Safeway

• Ground Beef Regular. Various weights; UPC starts with 201637; EST 573; Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23; Distributed in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• Ground Beef Lean. Various weights; UPC starts with 201670; EST 573; Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23; Distributed in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• Ground Beef Lean Large Pack. Various weights; UPC starts with 201654; EST 573; Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23; Distributed in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• Lean Ground Beef Patties Fresh. Various weights; UPC starts with 201650; EST 573; Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23; Distributed in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan Medium
• Ground Beef Chuck. Various weights; UPC starts with 201730; EST 573; Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23;Distributed in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• Ground Beef Extra Lean. Various weights; UPC starts with 201681; EST 573; Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23; Distributed in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• Ground Beef Extra Lean Large Pack. Various weights; UPC starts with 201661; EST 573; Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23; Distributed in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• MS Lean Ground Beef Patties Sundried Tomato & Asiago Cheese. Various weights; UPC starts with 209544; Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• MS Lean Beef Patties Cheddar Cheese. Various weights; UPC starts with 209553; Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• MS Lean Ground Beef Meatloaf. Various weights; UPC starts with 209289; Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• MS Lean Ground Beef Sliders. Various weights; UPC starts with 209893; Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• MS Meatballs – Made from lean ground beef and pork. Various weights; UPC starts with 209241; Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• MS Beef Lean Ground Stuffed Peppers. Various weights; UPC starts with 209628; Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• MS Ground Sirloin Patties. Various weights; UPC starts with 201674; Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
• Lean Ground Beef. Various weights; UPC starts with 221643; Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia
• Extra Lean Ground Beef. Various weights; UPC starts with 221670; Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia
• Regular Ground Beef. Various weights; UPC starts with 221634; Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia
• Ground Chuck. Various weights; UPC starts with 201637; Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia

Walmart stores

• Regular Ground Beef. 454 g/1 lb; UPC 0 27182 04350 2; EST 128; Sep/17/12, Sep/18/12, & Sep/20/12; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
• Medium Ground Beef. 1.36 kg/3 lb; UPC 0 27182 04367 0; EST 128; Sep/18/12; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
• Lean Ground Beef. 454 g/1 lb; UPC 0 27182 04373 1; EST 128; Sep/17/12, & Sep/20/12; Distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Unbranded

• Beef Bearpaw Burger, 5oz. 5.10 kg; UPC 6 26957 83655 6; EST 128; Pack Date Sep 07, 2012; Distributed in Alberta

XL Foods, Inc., dba Lakeside Packers (Est 38) is based in Alberta. Some of the recalled meat was ground in a separate facility – XL Grinding (Est 128) – and supplied to Walmart. A portion of the recalled meat was further processed by Vantage Foods (MB) Inc, Winnipeg, MB (Est 573) and supplied to Safeway.

Please refer to the CFIA Health Hazard Alert for photos of the recalled product labels.

eFoodAlert Advice to Consumers

If you or a family member develops symptoms of acute gastroenteritis (stomach ache, diarrhea, nausea, etc.) within a week after having consumed one of these products, please seek immediate medical attention. Children are especially susceptible to serious secondary illness (hemolytic uremic syndrome) following an infection with E. coli O157:H7.