There have been four E. coli O157 illnesses associated with the consumption of beef products originating from XL Foods Inc. (Establishment # 38).

Looks like the CDC’s catch phrase is catching on.  However, figuring out what will be the extent of the tainted product seems like a work in progress.  And, with Verlyn Olson, Alberta’s Agriculture Minister, telling reporters: “that Alberta beef producers continue to have a high reputation for safety and quality, despite the growing recall list,” it sees confusion is the word of the day.

For current information on the location of XL’s meat that has entered the United States visit an updated retail distribution list are posted on FSIS’ website at www.fsis.usda.gov/FSIS_Recalls/Open_Federal_Cases/index.asp.  Here is what we know to date:

Albertson’s – All locations in Oregon and Washington State

Baker’s – Stores in Nebraska

City Market – Stores in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming

Dillon’s – Stores in Kansas and Missouri

Food 4 Less – Stores in California, Illinois and Indiana

Foods Co. – Stores in California

Fred Meyer – Nationwide

Fry’s – Stores in Arizona

Gerbes – Stores in Kansas and Missouri

Haggen Northwest Fresh – Stores in Washington and Oregon

Hilander – Stores in Illinois and Indiana

Jay C – Stores in Illinois and Indiana

King Soopers – Stores in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming

Kroger – Stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia;

Owen’s – Stores in Illinois and Indiana

Pay Less – Stores in Illinois and Indiana

QFC – Nationwide

Ralph’s – Stores in California

Safeway – Locations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington State

Sam’s Club – Locations in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

Scott’s – Stores in Illinois and Indiana

Smith’s Stores – Nationwide

TOP Food and Drug – Stores in Washington and Oregon

Walmart – Nationwide

According to another Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) press release, the public warning issued on September 28, 2012 has been updated to include additional products. Previously identified products included in this recall can be found on the CFIA’s website at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/recalls.  The affected products are associated with the same XL Foods manufacturing dates of August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5, 2012, as the previously recalled ground beef products. The trace out from XL to secondary and tertiary distributors, manufacturers and retailers could result in a large number of affected products over a wide range of codes and dates.

The CFIA is advising consumers who are unsure if they have the affected beef in their home to check with the store(s) where the product was purchased or throw it out.

The following products, made from beef “voluntarily” recalled by XL Foods (Est. 38), are affected by this alert – the list is long:  http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2012/20120929e.shtml