Maple Leaf chief addresses Listeria-related
recall
(MEATPOULTRY.com,
August 28, 2008) Source of Article: http://www.meatnews.com/news/headline_stories.asp?ArticleID=96101 |
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The recall began on Aug. 17 when Maple Leaf Foods announced it was recalling
Sure Slice brand roast beef and corned beef due to Listeria
contamination. The company expanded the recall on Aug. 20 to include a variety of
processed meat products under the Schneiders, Deli
Gourmet, and Burns Bits brands and closed the processing facility.
"From our standpoint this is the right thing to do," said Michael
H. McCain, president and chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Foods. "If
there is any question in the consumers’ mind about any product from that plant,
then the onus is on us, and the C.F.I.A., to act decisively and swiftly to
restore consumer confidence. Our actions are guided by putting public health
first."
On Aug. 22, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Public Health Agency of
Canada concluded that the strain of Listeria found in the Sure Slice
brand products matched the strain involved in two cases of food-borne illness.
As a result, Maple Leaf Foods expanded the recall again to include all products
produced at the plant.
"This week our best efforts delivering the highest quality, safe food
have failed us," Mr. McCain said. "We know this has shaken consumer
confidence in us. Our actions will continue to be guided by putting their
interest first."
Maple Leaf initially estimated the recall will cost the company
approximately C$20 million ($19 million), which primarily will be incurred for
the reimbursement for returned products.
"I expect that this charge will be included in results for the third
quarter ended September 2008," said Michael Vels,
chief financial officer of Maple Leaf Foods, in a conference call with
financial analysts on Aug. 25. "This estimate is based on information
available to us at this time and is subject to change, principally driven by
the actual levels of product that will be returned by customers."
In a follow-up conference call with analysts on Aug. 28, Mr. McCain said the
investigation for the source of the Listeria contamination was ongoing.
"Here are a number of the areas they are examining closely," he
said. "They are looking at drains and drainage systems, refrigeration
units and overhead systems, flooring, elevator protocols, in plant construction
protocols, process flows of equipment and people, potential for temperature
variability in the ovens, and they’re pouring over the data in search of root
cause.
"Because Listeria is so widespread in our environment, the
actual determination of that root cause for certain is unlikely, but we continue
to seek it out, at least to narrow it down. This is a complex forensic
microbiological investigation, and we have some leading third-party experts
working on it.
"I reiterate, we will not restart the plant
until this investigation is complete, and I’ve signed off on it personally. It
is all being done collaboratively and in communication with the C.F.I.A."
As a result of the recall, Maple Leaf Foods also has become the target of a
class action lawsuit. Two Toronto-based law firms, Falconer Charney
L.L.P., and Sutts Strosberg
L.L.P., are partnering and claiming C$100 million in compensation for consumers
who purchased or consumed products on the Maple Leaf Foods recall list.
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