UK – Russell Hume, supplier of meat products to hotels, restaurants, schools and care homes has been ordered by the Food Standards Agency to cease meat deliveries due to food hygiene concerns.
The Agency came up with the order after making a surprise visit to inspect the company’s plant pointing out the production facilities did not comply with food hygiene regulations.
The concerns were also raised by restaurants owned by Jamie Oliver who had to remove meat supplied by the wholesaler from menus.
Russell Hume’s scandal has attracted attention from Food Standards Scotland, who together with Food Standards Agency resolved to conduct an investigation on all the retailer’s sites and product stores in England, Scotland and Wales.
“Russell Hume was unable to demonstrate compliance with food hygiene rules at its locations, so we have stopped any product from leaving their sites until the business can provide assurances that they are complying with the relevant legislation and that they are producing safe food,” said a statement from Food Standards Agency.
“We have also instructed Russell Hume to undertake a withdrawal of all affected product in the supply chain.”
“There is no indication that people have become ill from eating meat supplied by Russell Hume.
However, we are concerned about the poor practices in place at their premises so that is why we have taken proportionate action to ensure no meat can leave their sites at present.
We are continuing to assess the situation.”
The company’s meat supply chain extended to Wetherspoons pub company and has so far called back some of its products linking the recall to mislabeling.
Though the products were yet to cause any illness, some of its products such as sirloin steak, rump steak and gammon steak were removed the menu in many pubs and restaurants.
“Our customers are at the heart of our business and there has never been a suggestion of any Russell Hume-supplied product causing illness,” the firm said in a statement.
