Raw pork recall in Alberta; province investigates 154 E. coli cases since July
Posted Sep 5, 2014 1:25 pm.
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EDMONTON – Canada’s food safety watchdog has ordered a recall of raw pork products from two Alberta companies due to health concerns about possible E. coli contamination.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the items from V and T Meat and Food in Calgary and Hiep Thanh Trading in Edmonton have only been distributed in Alberta and may contain E. coli 0157:H7.
The recall comes as Alberta Health Services says 154 people have become ill with E. coli 0157:H7 since mid July — a potentially dangerous form of the bacteria.
Dr. James Talbot, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, said the province has not yet confirmed the source of the E. coli involved in the outbreak.
“Testing has not yet found a link between these products and the outbreak, but the investigation is continuing to determine if they are the source,” Talbot said Friday in a news release.
“We encourage Albertans to play close attention to the recall of these products and to practise safe food handling and preparation practises.”
The CFIA has designated the recall a Class 1, or high hazard recall.
It warns food contaminated with this form of E. coli may not look or smelled spoiled, but could cause health problems and in severe cases possible kidney damage or death.
“Consumers, food service establishments, retailers, distributors and manufacturers in Alberta, should not consume, serve, use, or sell certain raw pork products sold by these two retailers/distributors because the raw pork products may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7,” the CFIA says in a release.
Alberta Health Services says the number of confirmed E. coli cases include 75 people in the Calgary region, 54 in Edmonton, 11 in the South, seven in the North and six cases in Central Alberta.
