The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has extended a warning into Atlantic Canada about ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria.

The inspection agency first issued the warning on Monday that some beef products, sold mainly in western Canada at Costco, Walmart, Safeway and Calahoo Meats stores, may have been contaminated with E. coli.

The original warning covered some store chains in Ontario, Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The CFIA hasn't said how much beef is being recalled.

"With the regard to the distribution and the area of coverage and the number of retailers who are providing us information on the product, it is fairly extensive," Garfield Balsom of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Tuesday.

XL Food in Alberta has voluntarily recalled the meat because it may be contaminated with E. coli.

The affected products may have been sold at Sobeys and Foodland stores in Atlantic Canada and packaged between Aug. 27 and Sept. 16.

The food inspection agency has warned the public, distributors and stores "not to consume, sell or serve" the products.

The CFIA says there have been no reported illnesses.

The food products in the CFIA recall that may have been sold in Atlantic Canada include:

  • Sobeys/Foodland: Medium ground beef. UPC starts with 211705
  • Sobeys/Foodland: Medium ground beef VP. UPC starts with 211660
  • Sobeys/Foodland: Frz beef patties. UPC starts with 231069
  • Sobeys: Store-made meat loaf. UPC starts with 211705

The meat may have been contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 and might not look or smell spoiled, according to the CFIA.

Consumption of beef contaminated with the bacteria can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

With files from The Canadian Press