ISLE OF MAN – Isle of Man Meats faced a significant setback after a malfunction in one of its freezers led to the loss of approximately £40,000 (US$51,200) worth of meat.
The incident, which occurred over the weekend of July 22nd, caused the freezer’s internal temperature to rise from the standard -12°C to -5°C, rendering the stored meat unusable.
The sudden rise in temperature forced the disposal of the entire stock, which could not be salvaged even for use as pet food.
According to the plant’s management, the freezer typically serves as a safeguard to prevent waste of unsold fresh stock, as well as to accumulate red offal, which is later sold to the pet food industry.
In an official statement, Isle of Man Meats explained that the freezer failure occurred despite recent maintenance and regular temperature checks that are routinely conducted to ensure compliance with safety standards.
The plant emphasized that while waste is an unfortunate reality in the food industry, strict regulations designed to protect public health take precedence in such situations, necessitating the disposal of compromised products.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA), which holds a majority stake in Isle of Man Meats, clarified its position in the aftermath of the incident.
A DEFA representative stated that the department does not involve itself in the day-to-day operations of the meat plant and was therefore unable to comment on the specifics of the situation until further discussions with the plant’s management had taken place.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by the food industry in managing perishable goods and the importance of maintaining stringent safety protocols to protect consumers.
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