Slicer tagged as listeria source

TORONTO — Bacteria embedded deep inside slicing equipment at Maple Leaf Foods (TSX:MFI) may be to blame for the deadly listeriosis outbreak that caused 13 deaths, CEO Michael McCain said Friday night at a hastily-scheduled news conference.

An investigation has indicated that the Listeria bacterium may have built up in the mechanical components of two slicing machines, even though the company followed the rules to the letter, which included cleaning the machines on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, McCain said.