Inspectors cite delays in receiving tainted meat data

Oct. 4, 2012 – With Canada’s largest meat recall continuing to expand, Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspectors say that a large issue was that they could not get key information promptly from XL Foods after detecting E. coli  in its beef, resulting in a nearly two-week delay.

According to an article by Rod Nickel from Reuters, the investigation began on September 4th, but the information from XL Foods was not received until September 11th. And meat from the plant was not recalled due to the contamination until September 16th, which now involves more than 1,500 products.

“There was a delay in getting it,” George Da Pont, president of the CFIA, said in a press conference at a CFIA laboratory in Calgary, Alberta. “We have limited authority to compel immediate documentation.”

For more information, please see the complete Reuters article.