The XL Foods facility in Alberta, Canada, which was at the center of a massive nationwide beef recall, has been ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to take immediate action to address some of the safety issues that were identified at the plant.
While the CFIA noted the establishment's overall food safety controls were being effectively managed, it identified certain issues which needed attention.
The issues include - condensation on pipes in the tripe room; water in a sanitizer was not maintained at a high temperature; meat cutting areas were not adequately cleaned; no sanitizing chemical solution in the mats used for cleaning employees' boots; and potentially contaminated product was sent for rendering.
The CFIA requested the XL Foods, which is now managed by JBS-USA, to submit corrective action plans outlining how the management will address these issues in the longer term and mitigate future risks. The company submitted a corrective action plan and appropriate measures were implemented.
The agency noted that it is reviewing the company's long-term and preventive measures and will ensure that they are effectively implemented.
In addition to monitoring plant operations, the CFIA plans to analyze results from product testing conducted by both the company and the CFIA. Trim and ground beef products will retained at XL Foods until all related CFIA and XL Foods test results are reviewed and found acceptable by the CFIA.
