Cattle industry supports beef recall review findings, says consumers still keen

BOW ISLAND, Alta. – Canadian cattle producers say an E. coli outbreak that made 18 people sick and led to an extensive meat recall last fall hasn't shaken consumer confidence in beef.

Canada Beef Inc., the industry's marketing arm, says total beef consumption last year was up 2.2 per cent.

Chairman Chuck MacLean says the industry supports the findings of an independent review that blamed lax attitudes by federal inspectors and staff at the XL Foods plant in Brooks, Alta.

Canada Beef says it also supports Ottawa's plan to tighten rules for meat plants and add more inspections.

MacLean says consumers can help reduce the risk of contracting E. coli by properly handling and cooking beef.

He says the system can't be made perfect, but proper safeguards will catch any glitches before they become a problem.