The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will begin a detailed assessment of XL Foods Inc., Establishment 38, on October 9. This assessment will determine if the facility has addressed deficiencies uncovered as part of the CFIA's in-depth E. coli investigation. Based on the results, a recommendation on next steps will be made to senior CFIA officials.
The licence to operate of XL Foods Inc., Establishment 38, remains suspended during this inspection, and operations, which will be subject to enhanced oversight and specific conditions, will only resume at this establishment after the CFIA is fully satisfied that the plant has implemented effective controls to manage food safety risks at all stages of production.
CFIA inspectors will verify that the sanitary conditions of both the slaughter and processing areas of the plant, including all equipment, meet the requirements of Canada's Meat Inspection Regulations. The CFIA will also verify that preventive controls will effectively manage E. coli risks once the plant is operational.
All products at the plant continue to remain under CFIA detention and control during this assessment.
The Agency's priority is the health and safety of Canadians. CFIA decisions have been, and continue to be, based on scientific evidence and a precautionary approach to protect consumers from potentially harmful products.
We remain committed to providing timely and accurate information to the public as it becomes available.
