The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit receives approximately a dozen calls a week inquiring about tainted beef and E. Coli. Fears of contaminated beef processed in Alberta’s XL Food plant have spread to more than 20 countries where the beef was shipped.

But the health unit’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Heimann, says there have been no cases of E. Coli reported locally.

“Also noted in a message that came from the Ministry is there have been no cases identified in Ontario,” Heimann said. Atheel Ishaq owns Baled Food Market on Wyandotte Street East in Windsor.

He suspects the recall is bringing in some new customers for his Halal meat.

“A big concern for our customers, of course, [is] the Alberta recall and we are always ensuring our customers we buy our meat here locally,” Ishaq said. “We actually are noticing business is going up a little bit, it’s increasing and I’m pretty sure the Alberta recall had an effect on this.”

During a conference call with reporters late yesterday, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the beef was shipped to as many as 20 countries and people should take appropriate precautions.

On its website, the CFIA says when in doubt, throw it out if a consumer is unsure of his or her beef’s origin.

A full list of products affected is on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

External Links

CFIA Beef Recall List