Canada’s Public Health Agency announced today that five more cases of E. coli illnesses have been linked to a massive beef recall involving Alberta’s XL Foods plant. Three cases of E. coli illness were confirmed in Alberta and two others in Quebec. So far, seven of the 10 confirmed E. coli cases were in Alberta, with two cases in Quebec and one case in Newfoundland.

Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is also investigating 13 cases of E. coli O157:H7.  British Columbia authorities are investigating 1 illness.

Health officials said the illnesses stemmed from the same strain of E. coli that has been detected on contaminated beef products processed at the Brooks, XL Foods plant. Officials with the Public Health Agency said the strain of E. coli found at XL Foods, has not been observed in Canada or the United States prior to the tainted beef recall.

Dozens more meat cuts and stores have been added to the recall list, which now contains over 1,500 products and affects retailers across Canada, as well as the U.S.

No illnesses have been reported in the U.S. – yet.  Meat from XL has been recalled from these U.S. retailers:

Albertson’s, Baker’s, City Market, Dillon’s, Food 4 Less, Foods Co., Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Haggen Northwest Fresh, Hilander, Jay C, King Soopers, Kroger, Owen’s, Pay Less, QFC, Ralph’s, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Scott’s, Smith’s Stores, TOP Food and Drug and Walmart.