A Ponoka slaughterhouse received a shock last week after Alberta Health Services (AHS) closed its doors over concerns of E. coli contamination.
E. coli cases, mostly in Edmonton and Calgary, have prompted investigations from AHS and Alberta Agriculture into several Alberta businesses. For Family Meats, all orders were halted while health officials with AHS and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency swabbed and checked blades, tables and event the ceiling for possible contamination.
Co-owners Collin Dykman and Jent Hoekstra said they have worked closely with inspection agencies while they investigated.
“We have nothing to hide,” said Dykman.
Waiting for results is causing the owners some stress but they do feel their abattoir and store is in good shape.
“We have our own sanitation crew that comes in every night that cleans everything from top to bottom,” explained Hoekstra.
The temporary closure has been a strain on the owners and their employees as there is much uncertainty while waiting for test results. They do hope to solve the issue as quickly as possible in order to fill their orders. Dykman and Hoekstra are leaving the investigation to inspectors and try to answer any questions they may have.
“Everything is quite confidential on their (inspectors) end,” explained Dykman.
AHS medical officer for the central zone, Dr. Ifeoma Achebe says the inspection is more of a precautionary nature in the interest of public safety. “It’s not because of anything we have confirmed there,” she said, adding there have been multiple tests with samples taken from the store but confirmation of results must happen before details are released. Different suppliers in Alberta have been closed as well
“There’s a lot of technicality behind it,” said Achebe.
As of Sept. 12, Hoekstra said one test had returned negative to any E. coli contamination but he was unsure when other results would come.
“It’s a confirmation of our own thoughts,” said Hoekstra.
“We’re trying to do the best we can over here and until we get answers, there’s not much we can do,” added Hoekstra.
With thousands of dollars of product sitting in the shop, Dykman says this situation has been stressful for everyone, including staff. Both are eager to see production return to a normal rate.
Achebe recommends people wash their hands with warm water and soap after using the washroom, changing diapers, touching meat and she advises ensuring there is now cross contamination with raw meat and other food. She also suggests people wash their vegetables.
Symptoms of E. coli
• Severe stomach cramps
• Bloody diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting