A U.S. food safety audit of Canadian meat plants has ended following massive beef recalls, which were prompted by E. coli discoveries in both countries.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported that the audits were carried out at a number of Canadian plants, including one beef facility.
As of Nov. 16 the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service rescinded its test-and-hold order at its borders. Canadian products held at border inspection houses created a bottleneck as trucks waited to get their cargo to the final destinations.
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In some cases, meat products had to be returned to the exporter for rendering because they had sat too long and were no longer safe to use, said Rob McNabb of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
“There was concern that product held for any length of time would diminish its quality and value,” said McNabb.
Canada and the United States regularly audit each other’s facilities as part of the mandatory Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points system used in food plants.
“Our system is a mirror image of theirs. The principle of HACCP is the same on both sides of the border,” McNabb said.
The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service notified the CFIA as of Nov. 9 it would increase examinations for E. coli 0157:H7 in Canadian meat and poultry products including raw beef, manufacturing trim, boxed beef and sub prime cuts sent for grinding.
It would also increase checks for listeria and salmonella in ready-to-eat products.
“These measures are a reflection of our concern about the Canadian inspection system based on audit findings of May 1-June 6, 2007 and the circumstances related to the unsafe practices employed by Ranchers’ Beef, Ltd.,” said the FSIS letter.
The added testing for E. coli in raw beef products will be extended to all countries exporting to the U.S. at the beginning of 2008.
In addition, the CFIA has published a list of beef products on its website that should not be consumed because of potential E. coli contamination.
Agency officials were also continuing to investigate whether the beef was linked to Rancher’s Beef of Balzac, Alta., which went out of business in August.
For a list of affected products, consumers can call Cardinal Meat Specialists at 800-363-1439, or go to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website at www.inspection.gc.ca.
