Remaining carcasses at XL Foods test negative for E. coli

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says inspectors did not find any E. coli contamination in 5,100 beef carcasses that were cut and processed over the past week at the XL Foods plant in Brooks, Alta.

"I can tell you that all of our results and those of the company are negative for E. coli," said Paul Mayers, associate vice-president for CFIA programs.

At the same time, CFIA confirmed one more person was infected with E. coli linked to beef from XL foods, bringing the total number of cases to 16. The CFIA says that person a Quebecer who fell ill in September with the same strain of bacteriafound at the food plant is now recovering.

The plants licence was suspended on Sept. 27 because of concerns aboutE. coli contaminationand deficiencies identified by CFIA at the facility. Since then, more than 1,800 beef products have been recalled.

On Friday, the CFIA said 5.4 million kilograms of primal cutmeat the whole cutsof a cow such as chuck, rib, and round currently being heldat the plant and incold storage could make it into grocery stores if XL Foods cooksit first.

The CFIA says it will test tothose products to make sure theyare safe.

During the Friday morning news conference, the CFIA had said recalled meat currently being held at detention centres might also make it back on to grocery shelves if it were cooked at high temperatures, but latersaid in an email to CBC Newsthat XL Foods has confirmed all recalled beef product will be destroyed.

But its still unclear whether XL Foods plans to do that, or if it will destroy the beef instead.

Review to be completed over weekend

In another development, the CFIA says it plans to complete its review of the processing plant over the weekend.

From that point, officials will then complete its final report on the facility, whichwill determinewhen the plant will regain its licence. "I want to remind everyone that the plant will not be allowed to reopen unless we are confident that the food safety controls are being implemented effectively and consistently," Mayers said.

"When the plant is allowed to reopen it will resume normal operations under enhanced CFIA oversight, which will continue for as long as the CFIA deems necessary."