Calgary Asian food maker closes plant over Listeria

Wed Nov. 23 2011 12:54:09

The Canadian Press

CALGARY — A Calgary-based company that sells pre-cooked Asian foods is grappling with possible contamination from Listeria and has shut down its plant and recalled its products in five provinces.

Ginger Beef Corp. (TSXV:GB) said Wednesday it's working with retailers from British Columbia to Ontario to pull the affected foods from store shelves.

The company said it's issuing the warning as a precaution after detecting Listeria monocytogenes during a routine monthly inspection.

Ginger Beef Corp. has also shut down its entire production line in Calgary to do a complete wash-down.

It's also working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to review its operations and ensure food handling safety.

"Ginger Beef Corporation takes the safe preparation of our food products, and the health and safety of our customers, very seriously," said James Leung, vice-president of operations for Ginger Beef Choice Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company.

"We follow all government requirements for food handling and have a comprehensive food safety program in place across our operations."

Listeria is a common type of bacteria that can have negative health consequences in some circumstances.

The company said the federal food safety regulator is monitoring the voluntary recall and production will be stopped until favourable tests over the next 10 days.

Leung said the food recall is the first such incident in the company's 30-year history.

"In undertaking the voluntary recall of our pre-cooked products and shutting down our facility, we are exceeding CFIA regulations for these circumstances," added Leung.

"These are precautionary measures taken to protect the health and safety of our customers."

Ginger Beef shares were halted on the TSX Venture Exchange pending news from the company.

A few years ago, Canada's largest food processor Maple Leaf Foods (TSX:MFI) was forced to recall its meat products across the country after a listeria outbreak at a Toronto plant.

Ginger Beef specializes in Asian food manufacturing, with a federally regulated plant producing frozen or ready to serve deli Chinese food products. The company is also involved in restaurant franchising, with take out and delivery service outlets in Alberta.