Health Canada establishes Canada's food safety standards and policies. In addition , the CFIA takes action when boneless beef is found to be contaminated with this bacteria. Actions can range from a review of the manufacturing controls to a full recall of the entire lot of boneless beef. In fact, a negative result does not guarantee that the whole lot is negative. Many types of E. coli bacteria are normally present in animals.
Consumers play a role by following proper hygiene.
The CFIA's primary mandate is food safety and consumer protection. From producer to consumer, everyone plays a part in minimizing contamination but raw meat may contain harmful bacteria and should be handled accordingly. Wash all produce thoroughly before eating or cooking. Keep raw meats and their juices away from other foods during storage and preparation. Cook ground beef until it reaches 71 C in the centre and juices run clear.