A Toronto meat packing plant was caught changing the "best before" dates on packages of ham about a month before it had to recall peppercorn salami when samples tested positive for listeria.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Siena Foods warned the public against consuming its cooked ham and some dried meat products after samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes in March.

The Toronto Star subsequently requested documents under the Access to Information Act and discovered the relabeling scheme. One inspector found the company was incorrectly extending the shelf life of Black Forest ham from 56 days to 78 days by putting the wrong date on "best before" labels on about 5,500 cartons.

A corrective action report issued Oct. 30, 2009 noted someone at the plant told an inspector the product was stored at 1C, which they felt "can extend the shelf life."

Why CFIA couldn’t inform the public about the shoddy practices remains unknown. I thought CFIA was there to ensure public health.

Siena Foods Ltd. has since closed after filing for bankruptcy.