TORONTO -- McDonald's Canada in September after having to import beef temporarily due to COVID-19.

The fast-food chain from pre-approved suppliers and facilities outside the country due to limited processing capacity at Canadian suppliers.

The news came after an outbreak forced the temporary shutdown of a Cargill processing plant near High River, Alta.

McDonald's says more than 80 per cent of its beef supply continued to come from Canadian sources on average during this time.

McDonald's Canada started using only Canadian beef in 2003.

It primarily comes from ranches and farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2020.