CFIA closes the books on frozen hamburger recall Tuesday, May 29, 2012 by SUSAN MANNIt appears the source of E. coli contamination at the Saskatoon facility of a frozen hamburger maker that has gone out of business will remain a mystery.Canadian Food Inspection Agency spokesperson Lisa Gauthier says by email the agency was “unable to pinpoint the source of the contamination,” despite an investigation that included extensive testing and risk assessment.The recall crisis that lasted nearly a month involved more than 135 products under various brand names and UPC codes made by New Food Classics.On Feb. 18 the CFIA issued the first of seven health hazard alerts as part of a voluntary recall of the company’s product. Days later, on Feb. 22, the company went into receivership. In March, Garfield Balsom, a CFIA food safety and recall specialist, said the agency was not aware if the company’s financial troubles contributed to the contamination of the products. There was one confirmed illness associated with the consumption of one of the affected products at the onset of the investigation but no further illness was reported. The CFIA investigation has now been closed and the agency’s monitoring of the recall’s effectiveness is finished, Gauthier writes.Gauthier notes effectiveness checks verify that all recalled product has been removed from the marketplace. She didn’t give a total for the amount of product removed.Retailers and homeowners were responsible for throwing away the product, she says. BF Study author mulls Ontario's vegetable appeal Payback time
Ontario farmers get boost for energy upgrades Friday, July 11, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million in the third round of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This funding will help farmers improve the energy efficiency of their operations and support the long-term sustainability of the agriculture... Read this article online
Swede midge and cabbageworm found in Ontario canola Thursday, July 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario canola crops are at various growth stages, ranging from seedling to full bloom depending on planting time and region. Winter canola is now fully podded, and harvest is expected to begin soon in Essex and other southern... Read this article online
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
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