Update on incident involving a meat coldstore in Northern Ireland (Update 3)

Monday 28 November 2005

Food Alert: for Action

Ref: 68/2005 (Update 3) (67/2005 Scotland - For Info)

Heads of Environmental Health and Directors of Trading Standards will be aware of the Food Alert for Action 68/2005 issued on 18 November 2005, and subsequent updates 1 and 2, outlining preliminary action required to be taken in relation to the above incident.

Following further investigations of records obtained from Euro Freeze (Ireland) Ltd, the Agency is now in a position to update the original distribution list.

Actions to be taken by local authorities
If there is any doubt as to the authenticity of the health marks or labels applied to the consignments notified in Food Alert 68/2005 (update 3), please obtain full written descriptions of the product/s, photographs and any distribution details. In addition the Food Standards Agency should be notified immediately, as this information is needed as part of an ongoing investigation.

If necessary, the meat should be detained for the purpose of checking authenticity of the suspected illicit health marks and or labels. If the authorised officer is not satisfied that these marks are authentic, the meat should be seized for destruction under section 9 of the Food Safety Act 1990 on the basis that it does not comply with food safety requirements.

If, as part of this investigation, further suspect illicit health marks or further distribution details are discovered, these will be forwarded on to local authorities as soon as possible to assist them in their investigations.

It is essential that all Non Unitary Authorities liaise at county level to ensure that they take necessary action.