Government of Canada

Gouvernement du Canada

Key Events
September 4th to October 23rd, 2012

CFIA identifies E. coli in product from facility supplied by XL.

CFIA begins in-depth review at XL.

CFIA issues first public recall alert (August 24, 28 and September 5 production dates).

US FSIS issues its first Public Health Alert to Americans.

CFIA temporarily suspends XLs licence to operate.

PHAC announces four cases of illness are linked to XL.

CFIA reviews the findings of the detailed assessment. CFIA and PHAC hold third media technical briefing. PHAC announces five additional cases of illness related to XL bringing total number of cases to 10. PHAC announces twelfth case of illness related to XL. CFIA issues eighteenth public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).

CFIA reinstates XLs licence to operate under enhanced oversight.

CFIA Investigation into XL Foods Inc.

E. coli O157:H7

CFIA initiates investigation.

CFIA engages with XL management on request for information.

US notifies CFIA of two more XL positive samples at border. No product in marketplace. CFIA shares with PHAC the E. coli genetic fingerprint of XL beef sample.

CFIA issues fifth public recall alert (August 24, 28 and September 5 production dates).

XL submits corrective action plans and CFIA determines XL has not presented acceptable plans. All products under CFIA detention and control.

CFIA issues CARs to XL based on in-depth review. CFIA concludes a combination of deficiencies contributed to contamination at XL. CFIA issues third public recall alert (August 24, 28 and September 5 production dates).

CFIA issues fourteenth public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).

XL notified of positive finding. US notifies CFIA of positive sample from XL at border. CFIA determines no affected product in marketplace. XL begins to provide information to CFIA. CFIA enhances monitoring of plant E. coli controls.

CFIA issues seventh public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).

CFIA issues ninth public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates). CFIA accepts XLs corrective action plans. CFIA issues twelfth public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).

Minister Ritz holds second news conference, in Ottawa.

CFIA and PHAC hold fourth media technical briefing to announce CFIA will begin a detailed assessment to determine if XL has addressed previously identified deficiencies. PHAC announces eleventh case of illness related to XL.

CFIA observes carcass cutting and samples and tests products. PHAC announces three additional cases of illness related to XL bringing total number of cases to 15. CFIA issues nineteenth public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates). XL resumes and completes cutting carcasses under strict CFIA oversight. CFIA issues twentieth public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).

CFIA and PHAC hold seventh media technical briefing.

Legend
CFIA investigation into XL (ongoing) CFIA conducts in-depth review at XL XL develops corrective actions XLs licence to operate is under suspension Period of enhanced CFIA oversight at XL CFIA and XL activity CFIA recall public notices US events/activity Minister and CFIAs news conferences/technical briefings PHAC announcements related to confirmed illnesses

CFIA issues eighth public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).

CFIA issues twenty first public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).

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CFIA investigation identifies two additional production dates August 27 and 29. CFIA verbally requests distribution and testing information from XL. CFIA continues to engage with XL management on request for information.

XL removed from list of establishments eligible to export to US.

CFIA activates NEOC. CFIA issues second public recall alert (August 24, 28 and September 5 production dates).

XL begins notifying customers in Canada and US it is recalling for August 27 and 29. CFIA begins tracing recalled products. CFIA issues sixth public recall alert (August 24, 28 and September 5 production dates).

An Outbreak Investigation Coordinating Committee (OICC) is activated to facilitate and coordinate information sharing. CFIA issues a public recall alert for steaks from Edmonton Costco supplied by XL. There are four confirmed illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

CFIA issues thirteenth public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).

Minister Ritz holds first news conference, in Calgary.

CFIA issues seventeenth public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).

CFIA and PHAC hold fifth media technical briefing to announce XL will be allowed to cut carcasses under continued strict CFIA oversight.

CFIA announces it has completed its observations of XLs food safety controls in action and begins assessment of findings.

Acronyms
CAR E. coli NEOC PHAC US FSIS XL Corrective Action Request E. coli O157:H7 National Emergency Operations Centre (CFIA) Public Health Agency of Canada United States Food Safety and Inspection Service Establishment 38, XL Foods Inc.

CFIA repeats request in writing to XL. CFIA alerts PHAC of positive findings. The two agencies work together throughout entire ongoing investigation.

No product recalled from US market.

CFIA issues fifteenth public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).

CFIA undertakes detailed assessment of XL. CFIA continues observing carcass cutting and sampling and testing products. Part way through day XL halts its carcass cutting.

CFIA receives negative test results from cut carcasses and continues reviewing observations. CFIA and PHAC hold sixth media technical briefing. PHAC announces sixteenth case of illness related to XL.

CFIA continues enhanced monitoring of plant E. coli controls.

XL begins notifying customers in Canada and US it is recalling three days of production (August 24 and 28 and September 5). CFIA begins tracing recalled products.

CFIA issues fourth public recall alert (August 24, 28 and September 5 production dates).

CFIA and PHAC hold first media technical briefing. XL re-submits corrective action plans and CFIA begins reviewing. CFIA issues tenth and eleventh public recall alerts (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).

CFIA and PHAC hold second media technical briefing. PHAC announces fifth case of illness related to XL. CFIA issues sixteenth public recall alert (August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5 production dates).