OTTAWA -- The company at the centre of the massive beef recall has finally broken a month-long silence, saying it takes full responsibility for its operations and its food products.

XL Foods Inc. also says it is committed to regaining consumer trust after a meat recall described as one of the largest in Canadian history.

The company's statement is its first comment since the recall crisis began in early September.

It says it thought its safety procedures were top rate, but they were not enough.

The firm says it will improve its system with video surveillance to monitor the production line, with an improved washing system and with close co-operation with federal overseers.

Once it gets the OK from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to re-open, it will work closely with inspectors to ensure the problems never happen again.