More E. coli cases linked to XL Foods beef

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OTTAWA, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Five new E. coli cases have been linked to beef that came from the XL Foods plant in Alberta, the Public Health Agency of Canada said Saturday.

The five cases -- three in Alberta and two in Quebec -- double the number of cases since the problem with tainted meat cropped in the past month. Four of the previously reported cases were in Alberta and one was in Newfoundland.

The agency said the newly designated cases involve people who have either already recovered or are recovering.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Friday it had added more XL Foods products to its recall warning. The agency warned the public, distributors and food service establishments not to consume, sell or serve the beef products on the recall list.

XL Foods' license to operate has been suspended.

The company's license to operate is still under suspension. Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has said the plant in Brooks, Alberta, will not reopen until the Food Inspection Agency is satisfied that all food safety protocols are completely met.

E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, fever and even death.

The list of recalled products can be found at: http://inspection.gc.ca./food/consumer-centre/food-safety-investigations/xl-foods/recalled-products.