The organization that oversees Canadian beef sales both domestically and internationally describes the impact of the ongoing beef recall involving X.L. Foods as minimal.

The director of North American market development for Canada Beef says they continue to monitor fallout from the almost week old shutdown of the meat processing plant in Brooks, Alberta.

Marty Carpenter says in terms of news it has not been a good week for the industry, but their retail partners are not reporting big drops in sales.

Carpenter says they will continue to monitor the situation, even after the facility is re-opened to see if the recall has left a bad taste in the mouth of consumers

He also points out beef sales traditionally take a hit at this time of year, as Canadians buy poultry products as part of Thanksgiving Celebrations.

Meanwhile, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz repeated Thursday, the X.L. Foods plant won’t re-open until it has been given a clean bill of health from the Canadian Food Inspection Industry.