What was the cause of the Listeria contamination of processed meat product from Maple Leaf Foods?
The contamination was most likely the result of a combination of factors, including the potential for equipment to harbour organic material, employee and product movement, and physical factors. Listeria is a naturally occurring environmental hazard that cannot be completely eliminated from the environment. What is important is that surfaces in direct contact with product, such as slicers, must be 100% free of contamination.
