The source of the recent listeria contamination that has killed over two dozen people has likely been found, the company's president says.
Listeria bacteria has been found deep within slicing machines on two product lines at the Maple Leaf Foods plant in North York, the company's president says. It's believed this is the most likely source of the outbreak, he says.
All of the company's slicing equipment is undergoing deep cleaning and safety training will be stepped up, Maple Leaf president Michael McCain says.
McCain says because listeria is a commonly found bacteria, it's difficult to say that the slicing machines were the only source.
"In (the investigators') best judgment, this is the most likely cause," he says.
The company's North York plant has been closed since Aug. 20 and over 220 products have been recalled. The plant will not reopen until inspectors from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency say they're satisfied with the plant's sanitation.
So far, 13 deaths and 38 cases of listeriosis have been linked to tainted meat from Maple Leaf Foods.
Check CP24 for updates as this story develops
