Calgary preschool to reopen after E. coli case false alarm
UPDATE: After further testing, Fueling Brains Academy said Alberta Health Services confirmed a case of E. coli in a one-year-old child at its West 85th location – despite previous claims that tests had come back negative. A previous story continues below.
A Calgary preschool closed due to a suspected case of E. coli is set to reopen next week, as it says the case was a false alarm.
Fueling Brains Academy (FBA), the preschool and daycare company at the centre of an E. coli outbreak last year, announced on Thursday that a one-year-old child who attended its West 85 location tested positive.
The company closed the location voluntarily for deep cleaning.
In an update Friday, Fueling Brains Academy said the child who initially tested positive does not actually have E. coli.
As a result, the school will reopen on Monday, according to Fueling Brains.
“We are thankful to our families for their patience over the past couple of days. We recognize the inconvenience and concern this caused, but we are glad that our processes kept the community safe,” Faisal Alimohd, the CFO and co-founder of Fueling Brains Academy said in a statement.
Alberta Health Services was made aware of the suspected case.
2023 E. coli outbreak
In September 2023, 11 FBA locations were shut down after an E. coli outbreak, which originated in a Fueling Minds kitchen supplying the facilities with food.
There were at least 446 cases and, of those, 39 children and one adult were hospitalized.
The City of Calgary charged Fueling Minds Inc. and its two directors, Alimohd and Anil Karim, with serving food at child-care centres in Calgary without a food services business licence.
Fueling Minds Inc. faces 12 charges and a total fine of up to $120,000.
They pleaded not guilty in November 2023.
A trial date has been set for Sept. 6, 2024.
Alberta Health Services confirmed the results of a recent inspection at the location, on Thursday.
"The child-care portion of the West 85th Fueling Brains Academy daycare location was last inspected on Feb. 21, 2024. No violations were found," AHS said.
"The food services portion of the West 85th Fueling Brains Academy daycare location was last inspected on April 25, 2024. No violations were found."
With files from Jacqueline Wilson and Teri Fikowski
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
America votes: How the election could impact the Canada-U.S. border
While America's southern border remains a hot button issue on the campaign trail, the result of the U.S. election in November could also impact the northern frontier with Canada, which remains the longest undefended border in the world.
NEW THIS MORNING This Ottawa photo radar camera issued 200 tickets a day over the summer
New data shows the automated speed enforcement camera on King Edward Avenue, between Bolton Street and St. Patrick Street, issued 6,337 speeding tickets in August, the highest number of tickets issued by Ottawa's 40 photo radar cameras.
Couche Tard, On the Run parent firms challenge Health Canada nicotine pouch rules
Convenience store firms that operate thousands of outlets across Canada are taking the federal government to court to overturn regulations that restrict the sale of nicotine pouches to pharmacies.
Investigation underway after 2 workers die inside silo
The Ministry of Labour is investigating a workplace incident that claimed the lives of two people in Georgian Bluffs, south of Owen Sound.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.
The Menendez brothers case is not the only one that's been affected by a true crime documentary
Being an armchair detective has turned into an American obsession, fueled by an abundance of true-crime content in podcasts and television series. But some of those projects have sparked actual legal developments.
Red Lobster is a mess. Here's why the new 35-year-old CEO wanted the job anyway
TikToks of customers stuffing their faces with a US$20 endless shrimp. More than 100 restaurant closures and thousands of layoffs. A revolving door of CEOs. Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
Homeowners hit by Hurricane Helene face the grim task of rebuilding without flood insurance
A week after Hurricane Helene overwhelmed the Southeastern U.S., homeowners hit the hardest are grappling with how they could possibly pay for the flood damage from one of the deadliest storms to hit the mainland in recent history.