For Release: May 5, 2005

Ontario Government Advises Consumers

Of Potential Health Risk
Meat Products From Mount Elgin Abattoir Should Not Be Consumed

TORONTO - Consumers are advised not to consume meat products that may have come from Denview Meat Packers following the suspension earlier this week of this Tillsonburg-area abattoir's licence.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food is warning consumers that meat and meat products originating from Denview may not have been inspected as required by the Meat Inspection Act and Regulation. "As a precaution, people who purchased meats from Denview Meat Packers in Mount Elgin should not consume these products," said Dr. Sheela Basrur, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario.

Consumers can take steps to ensure they are purchasing inspected meat. According to Dr. Deb Stark, Chief Veterinarian of Ontario, a legible government stamp on the meat or its package is one way of knowing it has passed the rigorous provincial or federal inspection procedures. "If unsure of the origin of the meat product," said Stark, "consumers are advised to ask at the place of purchase."

Ontario's provincial abattoirs have stringent inspection standards in place under the Ontario Meat Inspection Act to ensure that animals are fit for slaughter, that they are processed under sanitary conditions and that they are handled humanely. Ministry inspectors are present for every scheduled slaughter at provincially licensed abattoirs.

The government suspended the licence of Denview Meat Packers in Mount Elgin, on Monday,
May 2, for alleged illegal slaughter activities. Once the investigation is complete, a hearing to determine the status of the licence will be scheduled.

Anyone with information regarding violations of provincial food and inspection legislation is asked to contact OMAF's Enforcement Advisor at (519) 826-4391 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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Contact:
Dave McLeod
(519) 826-3198