XL Foods Expresses Concerns

Provides factsheet on food safety programs

EDMONTON, AB, Oct. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - All the members of the XL community deeply regret the illness caused by the consumption beef products.  Our thoughts are with the affected people at this time.

We are full committed, and working diligently with the CFIA, to build on many of our industry leading practices and intensify and enhance our food safety system to exceed existing high standards and regain the trust of Canadian consumers.

For more information on our industry leading practices, please see the October 5, 2012 factsheet.

XL Foods Factsheet on Food Safety and Worker Safety Practices

October 5, 2012: Edmonton, Alberta

XL Foods plant in Brooks, Alberta works with external bodies to ensure food safety systems are verified and audited.

• XL works with 46 CFIA inspectors on site and two additional inspectors located in the company's grinding facility to maintain high standards daily.
• Annual audits conducted by multiple customers from both the retail and food services channels and auditing agencies.
• Good Manufacturing Practice Audits conducted annually by Silliker.  In the latest GMP Audit, XL received a rate of Excellent. Areas that are audited include: food safety systems, quality programs, grounds and building, pest control, employee practises, receiving, storage and shipping plant sanitation, and food defense.

XL Foods safety programs include the following industry leading practices:

• Interactive Training: All new XL employees undertake extensive interactive food safety, human safety and job specific training programs, designed by Alchemy Systems, to promote deep understanding of food safety. www.alchemysystems.com
• Remote Video Auditing: In October 2012, the company became the first Canadian food processor to utilize 21^st century technology in food safety programs by installing Video Auditing for verification of sanitary dress procedures and food safety system review.
• Multiple Hurdle Interventions:  Scientifically validated to limit the spread of pathogens.  These exceed industry standards and include:
• Hide on wash
• Steam vacuum of carcasses
• Pre-evisceration carcass wash with BoviBrom
• Carcass wash
• Hot carcass wash
• Steam Pasteurization

XL Foods is committed to producing high quality beef products, and the safety and wellbeing of our consumers is our number one priority. We will continue to act in their best interests throughout the implementation of the enhanced food safety systems.  Food safety is simply too important to our customers, our employees, our partners CIFA and our union UFCW, and our business.

About XL Foods Inc.
XL Foods Inc. is the largest Canadian owned and operated beef processor.

SOURCE: XL Foods Inc.

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