Almost four weeks after E. coli bacteria was first detected at the XL Foods plant in Brooks, the recall list continues to grow.

Dozens of additions were made over the weekend, with the recall list now in the hundreds.

The latest expansion includes all beef products with manufacturing dates on August 24th, 27th to 29th, and September 5th, in addition to all of the previously recalled ground beef products.

This latest list of recalls comes just hours after Alberta’s premier spoke out on behalf of the beef industry.

Alison Redford spent part of her Sunday meeting with cattle ranchers and getting an update on the impact the ongoing E. coli outbreak at a packing plant in Brooks is having on the industry.

Redford not only defended the beef producers after emerging from the gathering on Hanson Ranch near Airdrie, but stated people should have confidence in the food supply system.

The premier says her government is working very closely with the federal government, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, XL Foods and producers to try and get the packing plant re-opened as soon as possible.

Redford is concerned about the image of Alberta beef, but the safety of consumers is the first priority.

“They can trust there’s a system in place, that food safety is a high priority for governments across this country, certainly for ours,” says Redford. “And we can continue to have confidence in that value chain.”

Redford doubts the E. coli outbreak will have a lasting impact on the industry or its trading partners.

If you do have recalled products in your home or you’re unsure, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is urging to check with the store where the product was purchased or throw it out.

Click here for the complete list of recalls.