TORONTO (AP) -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has temporarily shut a meatpacking plant linked to contaminated beef products that have been distributed across Canada and the United States.
Brian Evans, special advisor to the president of the inspection agency, said Friday that an XL Foods plant in Brooks, Alberta, won't resume operations until it has taken the steps necessary to ensure its products are free of E. coli bacteria.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this week extended its public health alert about the company's beef to stores in 30 states, including retail giant Walmart.
Canada revoked the plant's permit to export beef to the U.S. on Sept. 13 at the request of the USDA.
The agency says it cannot yet confirm cases of people getting sick from eating the ground beef.
