Update: Maple Leaf listeria outbreak

"Listeria exists in all food plants, all supermarkets and presumably in all kitchens", said Michael McCain, President and CEO. "Our testing protocols are designed to find positive results so we can remediate them immediately. The Bartor Road team has found a very small number of positive results, not unexpectedly, and is reacting exactly according to food safety protocols. While there is no risk to the public, we are behaving in the most conservative way possible, according to the protocols in how these findings are always to be handled."

The facility was closed on August 20th, subsequent to the finding of a consistent inoculation in product that was linked to an outbreak of listeriosis. The plant reopened on September 17th in a highly controlled and phased in approach.