Why JDW had no steak on Steak Night

25-Jan-2018 - Last updated on 25-Jan-2018 at 12:30 GMT

Not unwell: the Food Standards Agency said there is no indication that people have become ill from eating meat supplied by Russell Hume (steak not pictured)

Related tags Russell hume Meat

The supplier of JD Wetherspoon’s meat, which was pulled from the pub chain’s menu, is being investigated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for “serious non-compliance with food-hygiene regulations”.

The pub group’s spokesman Eddie Gershon explained there had been a supply issue with its pubs and that rump, sirloin and gammon steak were not available before apologising to customers for the inconvenience this may have caused.

JD Wetherspoon’s supplier Russell Hume issued a statement, which said the products had been recalled and that it was a precautionary measure because of mislabeling. It added that it had no reason to believe the product was unsafe to eat.

Russell Hume was visited by the FSA for an unannounced inspection of the supplier’s Birmingham site on 12 January where it became concerned that the company was allegedly breaching hygiene regulations.

Investigate all sites

This led the body and Food Standards Scotland to investigate all Russell Hume sites and other locations where its products are stored in England, Scotland and Wales.

According to the FSA, Russell Hume was unable to demonstrate compliance with food-hygiene rules at its locations so the Government body has stopped any product from leaving its sites until the business can provide assurances that it is complying with relevant legislation, and that it is producing safe food.

The agency has also instructed Russell Hume to undertake a withdrawal of all affected product in the supply chain.

The FSA has stated that there is no indication that people have become ill from eating meat supplied by Russell Hume. However, it is concerned about poor practices in place at the supplier’s premises and as a result the body has taken proportionate action to ensure no meat can leave Russell Hume sites at present.

Continuing assessment

The Government body is continuing to assess the situation and its investigations are ongoing. Distribution of meat from Russell Hume is to a range of outlets, including hospitality and catering businesses, and care homes and schools.

All unused meat supplied by Russell Hume has been withdrawn from the businesses that it supplies until it can provide appropriate assurances.

The FSA said the supplier was co-operating with the investigation and was currently reviewing its procedures and retraining its staff.

The Morning Advertiser contacted Russell Hume but had not received a response by the time of publication.