Chicken butchered in shed ‘was unfit for human consumption’
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A large amount of raw chicken has been seized from an illegal meat cutting operation housed in a shed in Dallow.
Food and safety officers from Luton Borough Council took said the meat was “unfit for human consumption”.
Magistrates granted the council a Food Condemnation and Destruction Order after officers discovered an unapproved meat cutting operation in a shed in Dallow.
The shed lacked even the most basic food handling facilities and contained many bags of meat waste, over 200 empty meat crates and bags of bones, suggesting the operation had been there for some time.
Cllr Mohammed Ashraf, responsible for public health, said: “We work hard to support local businesses that contribute positively to the local economy. There are several reputable cutting plants in Luton where meat is processed hygienically under strictly controlled conditions.
“But any meat business operating outside the law jeopardises consumers’ health as well as the financial wellbeing of our law abiding businesses. Poor meat operators only exist because a few unscrupulous and money-greedy food businesses are willing to disregard their moral and legal duties to their customers.”
A council spokesperson said: “All food business operators are legally responsible for ensuring they know where their food is coming from and their suppliers are reputable, and may be asked by council officers to provide traceability of food at their premises at any time.
“We don’t want to reveal any more facts at this stage because our investigation is ongoing and we don’t want to jeopardise the case.
“But we are appealing to the public and businesses to report any suspicious activity to us – see www.luton.gov.uk/food or environmentalhealth@luton.gov.uk or call the council’s food and safety team on 01582 510330.”
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Weather for Luton
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
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