Chicken supply is solid and safe, says B.C. marketing board

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The supply of chicken remains solid and safe, according to the industry marketing board after 28 workers at an East Vancouver poultry processing plant tested positive for COVID-19.

United Poultry Ltd was closed by the Vancouver Coastal Health authority on Monday, while a beef plant in Alberta also closed after staff there contracted the virus. Outbreaks have also happened at facilities in Quebec and Ontario.

Bill Vanderspek, with the B.C. Chicken Marketing Board, said the Vancouver outbreak hasn’t affected overall production in the province as processing is being picked up by another plant.

“We know that the processors are doing everything they can to prevent that we also know that their primary concern is the health and safety of their employees,” he added. “Could it happen? Certainly. Will it happen? We certainly hope not.”

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Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday that the health authority is investigating United Poultry with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

“The health teams are doing the contact tracing and investigation of this outbreak,” she added.

According to the federal inspection agency, there is no evidence to suggest that food is a likely source or route of transmission for the virus.

“At this time, there have been no reported cases of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19,” says the health authority. “Therefore, no recall of chicken products distributed from this plant is required.”

The inspection agency advised all Canadians to follow good hygiene practices during food handling and preparation:

• washing hands with soap and water;
• regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces;
• cooking meat thoroughly;
• avoiding potential cross-contamination between cooked and uncooked foods.