Prime minister Stephen Harper has announced the terms of reference for the investigation into the listeriosis outbreak linked to Maple Leaf Foods.
Independent investigators will examine events and circumstances that contributed to the outbreak, said a communiqué issued by Harper’s office Sept. 6.
The investigators will “review the efficiency and effectiveness of the response of the federal organizations” and their partners in food safety, and communication among the partners and with the public.
Those organizations include the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada.
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Investigators will recommend what could be done to prevent a similar outbreak and how best to remove contaminated products from the food supply. In this case, Maple Leaf voluntarily shut down its plant and issued recalls of 200 products.
Company chief executive officer Michael McCain said last week two slicing machines at the Toronto plant were the likely source of the bacteria.
Although the machines are cleaned daily, a company news release said “areas were found where bacteria may accumulate deep inside the slicing machines and avoid the sanitization process.”
The company said testing of recalled product has not found any contamination other than in the three products manufactured on two lines in the plant.
Slicing equipment at all its facilities has been deep cleaned and tested. The Toronto plant remains closed until the CFIA and Maple Leaf are sure that enhanced food safety protocols are in place and effective, McCain said.
The communiqué said the investigators are not to make any recommendations or reach conclusions about civil or criminal liability.
The report is due before March 15.
