The United States is resuming normal testing of Canadian meat and poultry imports.
Concerns over E. coli O157:H7 in beef from Canada prompted increased testing of these products in early November. Following an audit of seven establishments in Canada, the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service decided to return to normal testing levels as of Nov. 28.
Products were being tested for salmonella, listeria and E. coli.
The increased inspections were prompted when beef from Ranchers’ Beef at Balzac, Alta., was found to have increased levels of E. coli. The beef ended up at various processors’ facilities, resulting in food recalls.
The other seven facilities had been red flagged because of food safety issues earlier in the summer. In a letter to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, William James of the U.S. inspection service reported the audit revealed plant procedures had been corrected at those facilities. Ranchers’ Beef closed in August.
Testing for E. coli on ground beef, trim, boxed beef and other cuts used for grinding from all exporters will continue at a higher level.
