Packaging
Maple Leaf Expands Product Recall from Toronto Plant as a Precautionary Measure
Monday 25. August 2008 - Maple Leaf Foods announced on Saturday, August 23, 2008 that it voluntarily expanded its recall of products manufactured at its Bartor Road (Establishment No. 97B) facility in Toronto, as a precautionary measure.
Yesterday, Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Public Health Agency of Canada investigation concluded that the strain of Listeria bacteria, which is linked to the illness and death of several consumers, matches the Listeria strain identified in some Maple Leaf food products in two cases. Scientific analysis and information will be made available today through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
“From our standpoint this is the right thing to do. If there is any question in the consumers’ mind about any product from that plant, then the onus is on us, and the CFIA, to act decisively and swiftly to restore consumer confidence,” said Michael H. McCain, president & CEO, Maple Leaf. “Our actions are guided by putting public health first.”
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may cause Listeriosis, a food borne illness. The elderly, the very young, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.
To date, Maple Leaf has been advised that only product produced on production lines 8 and 9 have shown positive test results for Listeria monocytogenes. There is no evidence of Listeria contamination in product beyond the production lines originally under investigation. However, we decided given current information, to place public health interests first and recall 100 per cent of all the product produced at this facility as the most conservative approach possible. We expect this expanded recall to be implemented swiftly. A list of specific products and codes of the affected products is available on the Company website at www.mapleleaf.com.
This weekend the Company’s Bartor Road plant remains closed and is anticipated will reopen on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.