Surya Foods: Rodent infestation problem originated in Netherlands
Surya Foods this month recalled 500g packs (all date codes) of Island Sun Semolina from Tesco “due to potential contamination as a result of rodent infestation” as a precautionary measure after a customer complaint.
Alex Mwewa, who co-ordinates the company’s relationships with the multiples, told FoodManufacture.co.uk that the product was not one of its major product lines and was only supplied to selected Tesco stores.
He added: “The product is from Spain or Portugal and then packed and re-sold. Our supplier is in the Netherlands and this is the only product that we buy from them. The problem was claimed to be droppings. A customer complained to Tesco and the local Environmental Health Officer was informed."
Harwich-based Surya Foods, which operates rice mills in India and Pakistan and has four UK sites in Harwich, Grimsby, Wembley and Birmingham, is a leading supplier of ethnic foods to Tesco and Asda with a turnover of more than £100m.
Its 2,000-strong range includes Asian, Afro-Caribbean, Oriental and Polish products.