XL Foods’ beef product recall has caused a stampede away from meat counters across the country.
Sheldon Ibbotson, owner of Rimbey Foods, said it wasn’t that bad in Rimbey but he took precautions to protect buyers’ safety. “Our wholesaler said pull every XL product down to be safe.”
Last week Ibbotson didn’t receive the meat he was supposed to due to the E. coli contamination. “What I see know is a beef shortage,” said Ibbotson.
XL supplies beef to one-third of the western Canadian market. Centralizing production into a small group of suppliers is a risk that can cause shortages, said Ibbotson.
However, he says the situation seems to be improving already for him. “Today (Oct. 4) we’re supposed to have everything we order.”
One thing Ibbotson was able to avoid a problem with his hamburger as Rimbey Foods grinds its own. “We grind it as we need it. It’s safer that way.”