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Alberta’s government recognizes that the E. coli outbreak that struck Calgary child-care facilities in the fall of 2023 deeply affected families, child-care providers, and communities. Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring the highest standards of food safety in child-care facilities and remains dedicated to taking the necessary measures to uphold them.

In response to the devastating outbreak, Alberta’s government established an external review panel to identify ways to strengthen food safety legislation and inspection processes in kitchens servicing licensed child-care facilities. The review panel submitted its final report in the summer of 2024, outlining 12 main recommendations and 27 sub-recommendations. Immediate action was taken to begin to address key recommendations, including establishing clear expectations and a framework for public health inspections.

Now, Alberta’s government is taking further steps to strengthen food safety in licensed child-care facilities. Starting March 26, Albertans are invited to participate in an online survey to help inform the implementation of the review panel’s recommendations and Alberta’s public health legislation, regulations, and policies related to food safety.

“Public engagement is a key part of our commitment to doing everything we can to protect Alberta's most vulnerable populations. The feedback we receive will give us a full perspective, helping ensure we consider every angle as we look to make changes to current food safety regulations.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

If implemented, some recommendations may also affect the broader food service industry, including food establishments. Continuing implementation and engagement activities is a part of the government’s commitment to acting on the Review Panel’s recommendations and strengthening food safety in licensed child-care facilities across Alberta.

Quick facts

  • On Sept. 4, 2023, Alberta Health Services (AHS) declared an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC) in 11 licensed child-care facilities in Calgary linked to a shared kitchen.
  • The outbreak lasted a total of 51 days and affected a total of 17 licensed child-care facilities, including the original 11 sites and an additional six secondary sites.
  • There was a total of 448 cases linked to this outbreak, including 359 laboratory-confirmed cases and 89 probable cases.
  • A total of 38 children and one adult were hospitalized. Of these, 23 were diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome and eight required peritoneal dialysis, which is a treatment used when an individual experiences kidney failure. There were no deaths.
  • In response to the outbreak and in parallel to AHS’ investigations, the Government of Alberta appointed the external Food Safety and Licensed Facility-Based Child Care Review Panel (Review Panel) to identify opportunities for strengthening the legislation and/or inspection processes that govern food safety in kitchens servicing licensed child-care facilities.
  • In June 2024, the Review Panel submitted its final report, which is available online and includes 12 main recommendations and 27 sub-recommendations.
  • Alberta’s government began working to address the recommendations in July 2024.

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