Alberta Health Services issues warning over potentially unsafe meat

On Tuesday afternoon, Alberta Health Services (AHS) put out a public alert with regard to uninspected meat being found in several Calgary businesses. 

"AHS is informing customers of eight commercial food operations in the Calgary Zone of significant health risks associated with potentially uninspected meat products purchased from these businesses," the alert stated.

AHS warned that anyone who has purchased meat or products containing meat from the following Calgary-based businesses is instructed to dispose of these products immediately and watch for symptoms of gastro-intestinal bacterial infection.

The establishments that were shut down by AHS include:

• Alta Halal Meat - 6426 36 Street Northeat, Units 150 & 155.
• Bismillah Meat and Grocery - 4250 109 Avenue Northeast, Unit 4110.
• Madina Halal Meat and Grocery - 4656 Westwinds Drive Northeast Unit 510.
• Maher Fresh Halal Meat - 3517 17 Avenue Southeast, Unit 101.
• Mediterranean Halal Meats and Deli - A3917, 17 Avenue Southeast
• Mustafa Madani Halal Meat and Grocery – 7 Westwinds Crescent Northeast, Unit 109.
• Shawdesi Bazaar – 55 Westwinds Crescent Northeast, Unit 131.
• Shawdesi Foods and Catering - 55 Westwinds Crescent Northeast, #131 & 127.

AHS added that issued closure orders to each of these businesses between April 19 and April 22, following inspections that confirmed the presence of uninspected meat products. 

"AHS is collaborating with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Alberta Health, and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation (AAI), in an ongoing investigation into this issue."

Common symptoms of foodborne illnesses include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Some foodborne illnesses can cause a high fever and blood in your stool. Most of the time, foodborne illnesses are mild and go away after a few days.

"Drink plenty of fluids and rest. If you are not getting better or have severe vomiting and diarrhea, contact your doctor or call Health Link at 811 to speak with a registered healthcare professional."

Consumers are also being reminded that safe food handling practices should also always be observed, whenever storing, preparing and serving food. 

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