Terms of Reference

The Independent Investigator into the August 2008 listeriosis outbreak related to certain processed meat products from Maple Leaf Foods shall:

1. examine the events, circumstances and factors that contributed to the listeriosis outbreak;
2. review the efficiency and effectiveness of the response of the federal organizations, in conjunction with their food safety system partners, in terms of prevention, recall of contaminated products and collaboration and communication with their food safety system partners and consumers;
3. make recommendations, based on lessons learned from that event and from other countries in terms of best practices, as to what can be done to enhance both the prevention of a similar outbreak occurrence in the future and the removal of contaminated products from the food supply;
4. perform her duties without expressing any conclusion or recommendation regarding the civil or criminal liability of any person or organization;
5. adopt procedures for the expedient and proper conduct of an investigation, including reviewing relevant records and documents and consulting as appropriate; and
6. submit to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, in both official languages, by July 20, 2009, a report on the matters listed in subparagraphs (i) to (iv);