Employees working at a meat processing plant in Alberta at the centre of a massive beef recall are awaiting an update from their employer, after work at the plant was halted on Thursday.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) temporarily suspended XL Foods Inc.’s operating licence for their plant in Brooks, saying they won’t be able to resume operations until they have demonstrated that they have fully implemented the CFIA's corrective actions.
The XL Foods recall, first issued on September 16th, has expanded to over 250 products, with the CFIA issuing at least eight recall alerts for ground beef products over E. coli concerns.
All products currently at the plant are under CFIA detention and control, and will be released only after being tested for E. coli.
The temporary suspension has left thousands of workers employed at the plant wondering if and when they’re be able to return.
The CFIA will hold an update on the XL Foods investigation Friday in Ottawa, at 11 a.m. EDT.
On Thursday night, the public health alert in the United States also expanded to stores in 30 states, including Walmart.
This means XL Foods in voluntarily recalling the beef products from these stores.
The company has also expanded its voluntary recall of raw meat produced on August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5.
For the latest food recalls and allergy alerts, including a list of recalled beef/steak products, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
- with files from The Canadian Press.
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