The turkey meat cuts – known as butterflies – produced by Severnside Provisions Ltd in Newport, South Wales, should not be consumed because they had been produced in conditions not meeting hygiene standards, said the FSA.
Independent butchers
About 12t of turkey butterflies, processed by the firm, were supplied to independent butchers and catering outlets throughout South and Mid Wales, south west and south central England.
So far, 8t have so far been retained and prevented from entering the food chain, after the intervention of Newport City Council.
While there is no evidence of a direct threat to health, it is illegal to supply meat from unapproved premises.
‘Do not meet the required hygiene standards’
“Severnside Provisions Ltd is a premises that is approved for processing bacon, but the company has been processing turkeys in conditions that do not meet the required hygiene standards for food production,” said the FSA. “Investigations by the local authority are ongoing as to the circumstances of how this meat was processed.”
Shoppers who have bought a turkey butterfly were advised to check with the shop whether or not the meat was processed by Severnside Provisions.
Meanwhile, local authorities have been asked to ensure that this product is withdrawn from sale and destroyed.
But the firm’s md Anthony O'Sullivan said the food never left the premises and did not enter shops. It was condemned because it was in a part of the warehouse not covered by a licence, according to the South Wales Argus.
No one from Severnside Provisions Ltd was available to speak to FoodManufacture.co.uk.