FSA keep quiet about Covid-19 problems in meat processing plants, abattoirs & the food supply chain
Despite the Food Standards Agency (FSA) launching a blog on the 29th June, they are keeping quiet about what really matters, such as the number of workers affected by Covid-19 in meat processing plants and the food supply chain.
They did not even tell their own operational staff who had to shield on their return to work, in what premises there had been problems.
The FSA claim they do not have any legal right to know the infection rates in slaughterhouses, cutting plants and meat processing plants etc?
As they are deemed to be the competent authority in the area of food and have been involved in providing written guidance for these businesses during Covid-19, they surely need to liaise with the relevant public health bodies, to get the data from these businesses and make it public to ensure their guidance is effective and if not, to alter it in an attempt to reduce the amount of Covid-19 cases.
Unfortunately, yesterday the media were once again breaking a news story about nearly 300 workers at a Northampton sandwich factory who had tested positive for Covid-19. Link to the story below.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-53762233https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england
It also has become apparent that the meat industry has been lobbing government to reduce inspections and extend the shelf life of meat due to staff shortages.
Surely no one would wish to see one illness being replaced with another.
It has also recently come to light that the FSA’s contractor who supply some of the official meat controls in England and Wales, had no training records for a number of their staff. The company, Eville & Jones, were awarded £83million over a period of three years from March 2020.
It is ridiculous to have traceability in the food system when there appears to be no traceability in contractors carrying out work in the food industry that could have an effect on public health.
Recently the Agricultural Bill was passed through Parliament and I am aware that some people are concerned about chlorinated chicken and hormone fed beef. There is nothing in this bill to prevent the sale of these in any such trade deal in the future.
Some people assume that the problems with bacterium such E.coli O157 and some others strains are just through meat products. This unfortunately is not true. Recently in America they have had problems with Romain Lettuce and previously in Europe with seeded sprouts etc.
Anything the bacteria contaminates, be it meat, fruit, vegetables, untreated water supplies, raw milk, raw cheeses, camping areas and open farms can cause a serious health issue if ingested or cross contaminated.
It has even been found on children’s play dough in a nursery.
Thank you for your continued help and support.
Stay Safe.