The group that represents the meat processing industry in the UK has called out a 'minority of unscrupulous operators' that are giving the sector a bad name, following a Food Standards Agency (FSA) investigation into the extent of the tainted meat issue in the country.
“Membership of BMPA is voluntary and shows a company’s commitment to upholding the standards and best practices that we promote," commented Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA). "It also signals a willingness to put right problems when they occur.
“Unfortunately, there are a small number rogue operators in the industry that seek to profit from deliberately substituting cheaper ingredients in their products. Often this kind of business will actively avoid involvement with organisations like BMPA and the food industry regulators."
FSA Study
Allen was commenting after the BBC published the results of a study this week that indicated that more than a fifth of meat sample tests found traces of DNA from animals not indicated on the labelling.
The FSA collected some 665 samples in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and found that 145 of these samples were either 'partly or wholly made up of unspecified meat', the BBC said.
Some 73 of the contaminated sources came from retailers, including three supermarkets, the investigation found, with cow, pig, chicken, sheep, turkey and even ostrich among the contaminants found.
In its statement, the BMPA noted that the study focused on samples from 22 meat processing companies, and that these companies 'represent less than 0.25% of the more than 10,000 meat processing and manufacturing companies in the UK'.
It said that it was 'very encouraging' that the FSA and other enforcement bodies are working to 'protect consumers from this kind of fraudulent activity', and indeed pursuing enforcement channels against these companies.
'Bad Apples'
'The bad apples are getting weeded out and brought to justice,' the BMPA said.
'As in most industries and professions, there is a minority of unscrupulous operators that try to circumvent the system for their own gain. From accountancy and banking through to construction and healthcare, no industry is immune to this.'
Allen called on businesses that have seen a slip in their standards to commence working with organisations like the BMPA, the Food Standards Authority and Red Tractor, to ensure they can achieve full compliance with regulations.
"Any businesses that break the rule and try to dupe consumers can expect to be found out and brought to justice through the system of targeted, intelligence-led inspections and enforcement actions," he said.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
