New E. coli infection discovered at Calgary preschool

Fueling Brain Academy (FBA), the preschool and daycare company at the centre of an E. coli outbreak last year, is dealing with another case.

FBA declined an interview with CTV News, but in a statement, the company confirms a one-year-old child who goes to their West 85 location has tested positive for E. coli.

“We promptly notified parents and Alberta Health Services. We have no evidence this originated at the campus, nor that it has spread; however, out of an abundance of caution, we voluntarily closed the West 85th campus for the remainder of the week to allow for deep cleaning and to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” the statement reads.

A note on the door at the daycare asks parents avoid taking their children to other childcare centres for the remainder of the week.

“Safety remains a top priority and we are working with our families, our staff, and Alberta Health Services to determine next steps,” the statement goes onto say.

In September 2023, 11 Fueling Brain Academy 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, Faisal Alimohd and Anil Karim, with serving food at childcare centres in Calgary without a food services business licence.

Faisal Alimohd is also the co-founder and CFO of Fueling Brain Academy, according to the company’s website.

Fueling Minds Inc. faces 12 charges and a total fine of up to $120,000.

They plead not guilty in November 2023.

A trial date has been set for Sept. 6, 2024.