Restrictions Tightened On Canadian Meat

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Meat and poultry headed to the U.S. from Canada will undergo more rigorous testing.<br/><br/>Starting next week, the U.S. Agricultural Department will increase its testing of Canadian

Saturday, November 3rd 2007, 7:37 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Meat and poultry headed to the U.S. from Canada will undergo more rigorous testing.

Starting next week, the U.S. Agricultural Department will increase its testing of Canadian meat for salmonella, Listeria and E. coli. The meat shipments will be held up until testing is complete and the meats are proven to be clear of those problems.

The changes are coming about after a Canadian firm, Rancher's Beef, was linked to an outbreak of E. coli infections in the U.S. involving Topps Meat. Some 40 people in eight states were sickened.

A massive recall, the second largest beef recall in U.S. history, forced Topps Meat out of business.

USDA plans to audit the Canadian food safety system to figure out if any extra inspection should be continued.