CALGARY — A commercial kitchen company has been fined $10,000 for violations related to an E. coli outbreak that affected numerous children at Calgary daycares. Fueling Minds Inc. pleaded guilty in April to four charges concerning its lack of a catering license.

The company faced a potential maximum fine of $40,000. However, lawyers for both sides recommended a $10,000 penalty, which the judge accepted. Justice Mathieu St. Germain noted that a higher fine would have been justified if there had been evidence directly linking the outbreak to the company's infractions.

"However, that nexus for connection is not in the facts before me. I'm not entitled to start drawing such inferences or speculating outside of evidence," he stated during the court proceedings on Tuesday.

The E. coli outbreak occurred in the fall of 2023, resulting in approximately 448 infections. Among those affected were 39 children and one adult who required hospitalization. A report from Alberta Health Services indicated that the outbreak was likely associated with meat loaf, but it remains unclear how the bacteria was introduced.

The attorney representing Fueling Minds emphasized that the company takes the incident seriously and is committed to addressing the issues that led to the outbreak.

This case highlights the importance of compliance with health regulations, especially in food service operations that cater to vulnerable populations such as children.