Updated statement to the Guardian/ITV investigation

We are shocked and distressed by the allegations and the footage which we saw for the first time on Thursday September 28th. 

Since the allegations were put to us by the Guardian/ITV, we have been working around the clock to get to the truth of the matter.

We responded immediately by launching our own internal investigation at our West Bromwich plant and invited the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to independently review our standards.

The FSA has been in daily attendance since the allegations were raised and confirmed that it has not identified any breaches.

However, our internal investigation has shown some isolated instances of non-compliance with our own Quality management systems.

We have therefore decided to temporarily suspend operations at the site to allow us the time to retrain all colleagues including management in all Food safety and Quality management systems.

All colleagues will remain on full pay and will attend site whilst training is undertaken.

We will only recommence supply once we are satisfied that our colleagues have been appropriately retrained.

We continue to work closely with the FSA and our customers throughout this period.

We remain committed to ensuring that we operate to the highest standards of hygiene and food safety, and we act with honesty and integrity at all times.

-Ends-