Listeria Investigation Announced

With the death toll at 13 and the number of cases of listeria food poisoning from contaminated meat products still rising, the federal government has announced the terms of reference for an independent investigation into the listeria outbreak. A report is expected by the middle of March 2009. One of the issues that keeps surfacing is the role of food inspectors, and recent changes or planned changes in that role in the food safety process. The Agriculture Union of the Public Service Alliance of Canada has been challenging statements made by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. The union's view is that although the workload on food inspectors is growing, much more of their time is being spent on paperwork and less on actual inspection at the plant level, in effect relying on the food industry to do its own inspections.

In the meantime, Maple Leaf Foods, the company at the centre of the listeria outbreak, has been executing a model crisis communications strategy. With early estimates of their losses reported to be in the area of $20 million, they have voluntarily recalled nearly 200 meat products made at its Toronto plant since January 2008 and have been open on reporting on possible sources of contamination.

More About Listeria Outbreak and Investigation
Deadly Listeria Outbreak in Canada Likely to Grow
Listeriosis - Risks, Symptoms and Precautions
Buck Stops at Maple Leaf Foods, Says President - CTV News
Food Inspectors Union Slams Tories Over Listeria Probe - National Post
Listeria Outbreak - Public Health Agency of Canada
Listeria Investigation and Recall - Canadian Food Inspection Agency