Blog: Another UK meat supplier under microscope

Dean Best | 12 February 2018

Sunday saw another product recall involving another UK meat supplier announced by the country's food standards watchdog.

The Food Standards Agency said Fairfax Meadow had started to withdraw some of its meat products sold into the country's catering sector after unannounced visits by the regulator on Thursday (8 February).

In an echo of recalls at Russell Hume and DB Foods, the FSA said the inspections had "revealed concerns about the procedures and processes the company had been using to apply use by dates on some of its products".

The FSA added: "Fairfax Meadow responded immediately to our concerns and are now changing their procedures. We are satisfied with the changes that are being made and at present we are not anticipating the need for enforcement action. Public health remains our top priority and at no stage has there been any indication that people have become ill from eating meat supplied by Fairfax Meadow."

For its part, Fairfax Meadow issued a statement in which it said "certain batches of meat products with pack codes from 29 to 37" were being withdrawn from the market.

"Fairfax Meadow has a relentless focus on safety, hygiene and quality. You our customers and the public you serve should expect nothing less from a leading meat supplier. You can depend on us for a safe, prompt and reliable service of the very highest quality.

"This voluntary withdrawal reflects our desire to ensure our practices remain
industry-leading and follows a dialogue with the FSA. It is being undertaken as a
precautionary measure and has been promptly implemented.

"We have liaised with the FSA throughout and they have provided helpful guidance to us. Fairfax Meadow continues to operate as normal during this withdrawal period and no other products or deliveries are affected."

In tweets this evening, Jason Feeney, the FSA's chief executive, indicated the incident at Russell Hume had led the agency to investigate other suppliers.

We received intelligence on a small number of firms in the wake of Russell Hume. We’ve followed up hence ‘burst’ of recent enforcement action. UK standards amongst the highest in the world.

— Jason Feeney CBE (@JasonFeeney5) February 11, 2018

However, the latest recall will, of course, only cause further debate about food standards in the UK, which does not come at the best of times for the business with Brexit looming on the horizon.