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Updated Health Hazard Alert: Various Beef Products May Contain E. coli O157:H7 Bacteria

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 10/21/12 -- The public warning issued on October 12, 2012 has been updated to include additional products. Previously identified products included in this recall can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website at www.inspection.gc.ca/recalls.

The CFIA is warning the public, distributors and food service establishments not to consume, sell, or serve the beef products described below because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The affected products are associated with the same XL Foods manufacturing dates of August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5, 2012, as the previously recalled ground beef products. The trace out from XL to secondary and tertiary distributors, manufacturers and retailers could result in a large number of affected products over a wide range of codes and dates.

This recall also includes unlabelled and/or unbranded beef products sold at retail stores not identified in the CFIA's product list below, which may include small retailers, local meat markets and butcher shops, etc. Therefore, the CFIA is advising consumers who are unsure if they have the affected beef products in their homes to check with the store(s) where the products were purchased or throw them out.

The following beef products, made from beef voluntarily recalled by XL Foods (Est. 38), are affected by this alert:


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Brand         Product     Size       UPC         Codes / Dates  Distribution
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Sold from     Top Sirloin Variable   Begins with Best Before    AB, BC, MB, 
 Real         Steak Fast  weight     216026      dates from     NT, ON, SK, 
 Canadian     Fry                                Sept. 6 to     YT          
 Superstore                                      Oct. 2, 2012               
 and Extra                                                                  
 Foods                                                                      
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Halle         Boneless    2.64 kg    Ends with   EST 479        QC          
 Services     Beef                   339         12SE21                     
 Alimentaires Tenderloin                                                    
              Steak                                                         
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Sold from Les Boneless    Variable   None        EST 38         QC          
 Viandes P.P. Beef        weight                 Sold on Sept.              
 Halle Ltee   Tenderloin                         19 and 27,                 
                                                 2012                       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halle         Beef 0/1    2.60 kg    Ends with   EST 479        QC          
 Services     Strip Loin             032         12SE14                     
 Alimentaires                                                               
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The CFIA is advising consumers who are unsure if they have the affected beef in their home to check with the store(s) where the product was purchased or throw it out.

Public health authorities have confirmed a number of illnesses linked to products from XL Foods Inc. or illnesses associated with the XL Foods Inc. food safety investigation. For more information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's website at www.phac.gc.ca

This voluntary recall is part of an ongoing food safety investigation. The CFIA is working with the recalling firms and distributors to identify and verify all affected products. As additional affected products are confirmed, this table will be updated on the CFIA website. To stay informed of product updates throughout the investigation, consumers are also encouraged to subscribe to CFIA food recalls and allergy alerts at www.foodsafety.gc.ca.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria my cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The manufacturer, XL Foods Inc., Edmonton, Alberta and various retailers, processors and distributors are voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

For information on E. coli O157:H7, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/ecolie.shtml

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA's Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca. Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.

Contacts:
CFIA Media Relations
613-773-6600

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