Canadian Listeriosis Outbreak Report Released
Report offers 57 recommendations.
Compiled by staff
Published: Jul 23, 2009
A slow response from the government and poor communications with the public are blamed for the 22 deaths during the Maple Leaf Foods' listeriosis outbreak last summer in Canada. That's the report from Sheila Weatherill, who was appointed by Canada's federal government to lead an independent investigation.
Weatherill offered 57 recommendations to improve food safety in her report. Among those suggestions were that higher-risk plants be tested more frequently than others; that Canada's chief public health officer have a larger role during foodborne illness outbreaks; and that meat processing equipment be designed with an eye toward limiting the spread of pathogens.
The President and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, Michael McCain, said this report is tough and it ought to be, with strong recommendations for further improving the Canadian food safety system.
In a news release McCain said, "We thought we had a good food safety program last August, but our efforts failed with tragic consequences. Since then we have transformed every aspect of our food safety program."
McCain pledged not to forget the lessons of last August, and that means imposing the highest standard of food safety in every product made.
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