The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is undertaking one of the largest meat recalls in Canada’s history.
The CFIA has announced that it has cancelled the licenses of three companies tied to a massive meat recall that has ensnared nearly 1,000 beef and veal products. The CFIA said in a written statement that it has cancelled the Safe Food for Canadians licenses of Ryding-Regency Meat Packers Ltd, as well as two others operating under St. Ann's Foods Inc.: Canadian Select Meats Inc. and The Beef Boutique Ltd.
The federal agency based in Ottawa said that these companies are no longer able to slaughter food animals or prepare meat products, including to export or send to other provinces or territories. The CFIA said it made the decision after an investigation identified the licence holders provided false or misleading information to the agency about E. coli lab results.
The agency launched the investigation in September to look into possible E. coli contamination of some beef and veal products sold by the companies. Following the investigation, the CFIA has recalled more than 900 beef and veal products from the Canadian marketplace.
The CFIA previously suspended the licenses for all three holders, on a temporary basis, in September while it conducted its investigation.
