Beef recalled in Canada for E.coli yet to be recalled in the US

update: 10/08/12   The FSIS has updated information on the previous Public Health Alert.  “Previously, FSIS reported that approximately 890,000 pounds of boneless beef trim were received by U.S. firms from XL Foods, Inc. After conducting effectiveness checks, FSIS now estimates that approximately 1.1 million pounds of trim and approximately 1.4 million pounds of primal and sub-primal cuts used to produce steaks, roasts, mechanically tenderized steaks and roasts, and ground beef were received by U.S. firms.”

The list of known distribution locations can be found here.

update: 09/26/12  The Public Health Alert now includes whole muscle cuts of meat used to make ground beef.

I can not explain the reasoning behind the lack of recall in this issue.  However, a FSIS Public Health Alert was issued on 09/20/2012 by the FSIS stating,  “The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing a Public Health Alert for raw boneless beef trim products imported from Canada by XL Foods, Inc. that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. ”

Oddly enough the FSIS notified CA of its findings on September 3rd.  As stated on the FSIS website, ” After follow-up testing by FSIS and CFIA, the CFIA announced arecall by XL Foods, Inc. of a variety of ground beef products on September 16, 2012.”  But no recall for the US, even though the in question “beef trims” were distributed in the Greater Cincinnati area, Northern Kentucky, Dayton Ohio, Southeastern Indiana, Indiana (except for Evansville), Illinois, and Eastern Missouri areas.

Beef trims are commonly used for the making of ground beef.  Be sure to cook all ground meats to a minimum temperature of 155° to ensure food safety.

Look for more information to follow as it becomes available.  We will post updates as they become available on our Facebook page. 

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