The West Midlands processing plant at the centre of an investigation over mid-dated chicken and hygiene breaches will remain closed for ‘as long as it takes’ to ensure practices are up to scratch.
A spokesman for 2 Sisters said staff were being retrained and all chicken was being redirected to alternative sites in the area. Farmers would continue to be able to send their animals to the business as usual, the firm said.
Following allegations made in an undercover report from ITN News and the Guardian, Food Standards Agency inspectors are conducting an investigation.
“Our inspectors found no evidence of breaches. However we continue to review the evidence and if any incidences of non-compliance are found we will take prompt and proportionate action with the business concerned, working closely with the local authority,” said FSA chairman Heather Hancock.
“It is the responsibility of a food business to ensure that the food it sells is safe and what it says it is. We take any allegations of inaccurate labelling and breaches in hygiene regulations very seriously. Should we find any evidence of any risk to public health, any products on the market which we believe to be a cause of concern will be urgently removed from sale. We would always encourage consumers to take note of our advice on safe cooking, handling and storage of chicken and other poultry meat.”