The union that represents Canada’s food inspectors say another listeriosis outbreak is likely because inspectors are prevented from properly doing their jobs.
The Agriculture Union of the Public Service Alliance of Canada issued a News release
news Oct. 6 saying it should be notified when tests results for listeria and other bacteria in a meat plant are positive. It said inspectors are handcuffed by current Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulations.
“This requirement, which was cancelled by CFIA, should be restored immediately and CFIA should invest the resources to ensure inspectors monitor cleanups after positive tests,” said president Bob Kingston.
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The union said eliminating this requirement leads to questions about the Maple Leaf outbreak, including when the first positive test result was found and how long it took to notify the public.
As of Oct. 6, there were 53 confirmed cases of listeriosis and another 11 suspected.
There have been 20 deaths in which listeriosis was the underlying cause and six under investigation. Listeriosis was not the contributing cause of death in three other cases.
Liberal party agriculture critic Wayne Easter said the Conservative government’s decisions have undermined Canada’s food safety system. He repeated his call for agriculture minister Gerry Ritz’s resignation.
But a CFIA report from May 2005, the Food Emergency Response Review, suggests there have been problems for a while.
The report outlined concerns about inspection procedures, including delays in issuing public warnings.
It said the agency conducts 3,000 food safety investigations each year and initiates approximately 360 food recalls.
It identified the need to clarify and communicate the responsibility for a recall decision as one of three areas needing immediate attention.
The “quality of food safety investigations needs to be enhanced,” it said.
Meanwhile, Health Canada has recommended the use of sodium acetate and sodium diacetate as preservatives in ready-to-eat meats. The preservatives will control the growth of bacteria like listeria monocytogenes.
Interim authorization for immediate use allows processors to use the preservatives while changes to food and drug regulations are made.
