QMI Agency files

The recall of potentially E. coli-tainted beef products from an Edmonton producer was expanded Saturday.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has now added several steak products carried by some Walmart, Metro and Food Basics stores across the country to the growing list.

In a statement issued Saturday, Metro said it has removed all XL Foods Inc. beef products covered by the recall from its shelves. "Moreover, as of September 29th, at the opening of our stores, there are no XL Foods Inc. beef products whatsoever on our shelves."

CFIA spokeswoman Lisa Gauthier told QMI Agency Friday that the list of more than 200 products could continue to grow.

"There is a possibility that, through our food safety investigation, we could identify additional products and the recall could be expanded again. At this point, we're working with the company and distributors to identify and verify all affected products," she said.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service in the U.S. has also issued an advisory warning consumers that XL Foods products have been distributed in California, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

An up-to-date list of recalled items can be found at inspection.gc.ca.

The CFIA advises consumers who are unsure if they have affected ground beef products to check with the stores where they purchased the beef, or throw it out.