On Tuesday, it was suspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that the number of stores which supplied contaminated ground beef from XL Foods of Alberta might be higher than estimated earlier. Thus, an expansion of the product recall has now been announced, a recent report has unveiled.

It has been found by the group that along with Metro stores in Ontario and Quebec, the meat was also sold by Loblaws outlets in the region as well as in Alberta, Saskatchewan and by IGA locations in all areas. Besides, Atlantic Canada’s foodland stores have also been suspected.

The concerns have risen since the beef was found infected with E. coli O157: H7 and the same can lead to life-threatening illnesses in case of consumption of the product. The aim behind the recall expansion is to look out for the source of the virus, the report says.

Smaller stores are now also being checked; CFIA food safety and recall specialist Garfield Balsom says that there are chances that they bought the meat from larger retailers and repackaged them.

"Our advice is to return to the point of sale and inquire whether that product is part of the recall. Lastly, if you're not sure then don't eat it", he added.