UK broiler producer Cranswick County Foods plc. has initiated a recall and closed a plant in Hull to be decontaminated following an investigation of the source of Salmonella identified on a wide range of further-processed chicken products including salads, deli fillers and wraps to be supplied to supermarkets and restaurants. The problem was identified on routine quality control.
A spokesperson for the company noted, "as a precautionary measure we have asked our customers to remove any of their products containing our ready-to-eat chicken produced during the affected period and we are working closely with the Food Standards Agency to resolve the matter".
The recall has had a profound impact on the retail market since Cranswick supplies raw material incorporated into salads, sandwiches and meal kits. Virtually all U.K. supermarkets including Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Waitrose, Aldi and Sainsbury's have removed product from shelves. Coffee shops Costa, Starbucks and sandwich store Pret a Manger have also recalled product.