Cardinal Meats experienced its first recall in 2007. The details surrounding the recall were typical for a burger processor: We unknowingly purchased boneless beef from a CFIA approved supplier – this meat was contaminated with E.coli O157:H7. Consequently we ground and formed this material into a burger that was purchased by a consumer who did not prepare it properly.
Although there was nothing exceptional about our recall, it was an extremely stressful experience for our team. As the CFIA brought the recall to its conclusion, I was happy to report to Ralph Cator, the owner of Cardinal at that time, that the recall was finally over - to which Ralph gingerly replied yes, “until the next time...”