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On 20th September 2024 the BFFF received the following alert from the Food Standards Agency. Please read thoroughly and follow the steps as instructed should you be affected.

IMPORTANT: As this is a developing incident, please also ensure you check the FSA alert regularly for the most up-to-date information.

Read the FSA alert here: Urgent Allergy Advice: Mustard Ingredients Contaminated with Peanuts | Food Standards Agency

 

FSA alert received 20^th September 2024:

Mustard Powder Contaminated with Peanuts

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are aware that batches of mustard, mustard powder and mustard flour imported to the UK have been found to contain undeclared peanut. This could be a significant food safety issue, because peanut allergy is prevalent in the UK and anaphylactic reactions can be severe. We are aware of a consumer that has had an adverse reaction to mustard powder that is potentially a result of this contamination.

Mustard, Mustard powder and mustard flour are widely used in food production and the FSA in conjunction with FSS is currently carrying out investigations to determine the scale of this incident and understand the impact on the UK food supply chain and to consumers.

At this time, contaminated mustard, mustard powder and mustard flour is known to have been used in numerous products in the UK. These mustard ingredients can be found in food such as dips, sauces, salads and pre-packed sandwiches.

 

Food businesses are responsible for establishing whether any of their food products are affected and, where this is the case, taking steps to ensure consumers are protected and the food they sell is safe.

Businesses should complete traceability exercises to identify products (or ingredients used in products) containing mustard, mustard powder and mustard flour because they may have been contaminated with peanut.

The distributor in the UK is FGS Ingredients Ltd and the affected batch was supplied by G.T. Agro Industries, Gujarat, India, but businesses should also carry out traceability exercises on any mustard, mustard powder and mustard flour that has been imported from India.

Where products are identified, product-specific risk assessments should be carried out to determine whether they could contain mustard, mustard powder and mustard flour that has been contaminated with peanut.

Product labelling should be checked to determine whether it is sufficient to manage the potential risks of peanut contamination, for example peanut is an ingredient in the product and therefore already in the ingredients list on the label.

Where potentially contaminated products are identified, and product labelling is not considered sufficient to manage the risk, food businesses should establish risk management interventions on a case-by-case basis, based on a risk assessment taking into account individual circumstances.  Product testing to determine levels of any peanut present may be necessary to inform the risk assessment.

If a food business identifies any product containing mustard, mustard powder or mustard flour that has been contaminated with peanut and product labelling does not manage the risk to consumers, the product should be withdrawn, and a recall should be issued.

Products still within the control of the food business or supply chain should be relabelled to ensure the risk of peanut contamination is sufficiently communicated to consumers before being placed on the market.

Food businesses should also ensure that any future supply of mustard, mustard powder and mustard flour does not contain undeclared peanut before further processing/production takes place.

Due to the uncertainty and variability of the levels of contamination in affected mustard powder batches, and the wide range of products that may contain the contaminated mustard powder, it is not possible for the FSA or FSS to recommend a safe level of peanut  in affected products or provide risk management advice. Risk management action must be determined by product specific risk assessments.

Businesses affected by this issue are required to inform their local authority (LA).

We ask that businesses respond promptly to any notifications or instructions from suppliers or LAs to withdraw/recall products from the market and, when asked, to provide other information in relation to the incident.

Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection, a global leader in precision instruments and product inspection technology, has extended its Combination inspection portfolio with the launch of new CM (checkweighing and metal detection) and CX (checkweighing and x-ray) Combination Systems. This significant advancement integrates the new M30 R-Series metal detectors and X2 Series of high performing x-ray inspection systems into high-precision C-Series checkweighers, providing customers with maximum flexibility to choose the right system to suit their individual application, packaging and budget requirements.

Powerful 2-in-1 Solutions

With the introduction of the next generation of the CM and CX Combination Systems, Mettler-Toledo delivers powerful 2-in-1 inspection solutions that manage Critical Control Points (CCPs) by combining precision weighing with contamination detection in an integrated solution. These new systems offer simplified operation, a space-saving design and reduced total cost of ownership. The integration of the new M30 R-Series and X2 Series also offers higher detection sensitivity, providing an added layer of security and quality control.

The CM Combination System (Checkweighing and Metal Detection)

The CM Combination System integrates the precision weighing C-Series checkweighers with the advanced M30 R-Series metal detectors, creating a completely flexible solution that enhances the portfolio of combination systems with an optimised price-to-performance ratio. The C-Series checkweighers deliver unparalleled accuracy and precision in weight measurement, facilitating compliance with regulatory standards and minimising product giveaway. They feature intuitive user interfaces and advanced data management capabilities, allowing for seamless integration into existing production lines, plus a smaller machinery footprint accommodates limited factory floor space. For high-end applications, these innovative systems can be configured with the new FlashCell™ load cell technology, this means that the checkweighers can complete precision weighing checks at higher product throughputs.

The M30 R-Series and Profile metal detectors are equipped to detect a range of ferrous, non-ferrous, including aluminium and stainless-steel contaminants optimising for both wet and dry applications. They offer the highest level of product safety and quality. Utilising advanced signal processing and intelligent detection algorithms, the metal detectors provide superior sensitivity and reliability, improving the capability to detect smaller contaminants and significantly reducing false reject rates.

The combination of these advanced technologies allows manufacturers to tailor inspection solutions to their specific application, packaging and budget needs. By merging precise weighing capabilities with state-of-the-art metal detection, customers achieve maximum flexibility to meet diverse packaging requirements. The system also boasts a space-saving design with full integration on a single frame, facilitating easy cleaning and maintenance while optimising production floor space.

The CX Combination System Checkweighing and X-ray Inspection)

The CX Combination System integrates the high-precision C-Series checkweighers with state-of-the-art X2 Series x-ray inspection systems, creating a powerful solution for comprehensive quality control. The X2 Series x-ray inspection systems feature innovative ContamPlus™ Software, which runs over 30 inspection algorithms continuously and in parallel, detecting hard-to-find foreign bodies while reducing waste. Also featuring the HiGain detector technology, which generates sharper images to deliver outstanding contaminant detection, these systems are capable of identifying a wide range of contaminants, including metal, glass, stone, calcified bone and high-density plastics, while also performing quality assurance checks such as detecting missing or broken products.

Combined with the precision weighing capabilities of the C-Series checkweighers, equipped with FlashCell™ technology, this integration offers unparalleled accuracy and consistency for various packaging needs. By bringing these two technologies together, manufacturers can benefit from increased productivity and decreased total cost of ownership. The smart industrial design features easy operation with quick, toolless access to components, enabling belt and curtain removal in less than five minutes. Intuitive user interfaces further simplify operation. An additional option is a Smart Catch Bin, the intelligent separation of contaminated or incorrectly weighed products can also help to enhance both safety and efficiency. This integrated solution not only improves detection sensitivity but also optimises overall production line performance.

Key Benefits of Both Combination Systems:

Maximum Configuration Flexibility: Multiple inspection combination options provide manufacturers with maximum flexibility to find the right solution for their packaging, application and budget needs. This flexibility is achieved by combining the latest advanced contamination detection technologies i.e. M30 R-Series metal detectors and X2 Series x-ray inspection systems, meaning that every need is met.

Enhanced Operator Efficiency: One-touch operation via the checkweigher supports easy and automated product changeovers. Statistical and status information for the contamination detection solution and checkweigher are available via one Human Machine Interface (HMI), reducing operator training requirements and minimising the risk of user errors. The advanced HMI design improves usability, making the Combination System user-friendly.

Space Saving Design: Shared components, such as conveyors, provide space savings, and having less feet on the floor facilitates easy cleaning.

Reduced Total Cost of Ownership: A single vendor solution provides documentation, installation, configuration support, training and service for two technologies in one, reducing costs over the long term.

Additional Quality Assurance Checks: Vision inspection technology is available as an additional option, making a powerful 3-in1 system which can provide comprehensive quality control by detecting packaging defects, verifying label information and maintaining product integrity.

Industry 4.0 Ready: Both Combination systems can be connected to ProdX™, a state-of-the-art product inspection management software. This complete quality inspection data management system delivers full digital management of product inspection equipment for real-time monitoring and food safety compliance. Visibility of the data can help improve productivity, food safety traceability and facilitate regulatory compliance.

Joern Migge, Head of Product and Market Management, Mettler-Toledo, says, “We are excited to introduce the new CM and CX Combination Systems to our customers. These innovative solutions provide unparalleled flexibility, enhanced efficiency and significant cost savings. By integrating the latest M30 R-Series metal detectors and X2 Series x-ray inspection systems, we are able to deliver maximum protection and quality assurance for our customers’ products.”

For more information, click here or visit www.mt.com/pi-ideal-combi-pr

The 2024 UK’s Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure list was launched this morning by Great Place To Work® UK, recognising Brusco Food Group among the list of organisations in the ‘Small & Medium’ category.

Over the last 18 months Brusco has introduced a range of initiatives to enhance the employee experience including a Specialist Training Guarantee to fund professional and personal development to help everyone at Brusco be the best they can be, developing expertise in their chosen fields. The company has also adopted enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity pay, and more flexible working to help colleagues balance their home and work lives.

Brusco’s team reported they feel good about the ways they give back to the community, with regular fundraising events and additional paid leave for voluntary work. This included raising £5K for several charities last year and fundraising for a defibrillator this year.

Brusco employees also value the inclusive culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves, are treated fairly and recognised for what they uniquely bring to the team.

As one survey respondent said, “the culture at Brusco is second to none, the vision for the company is clear and inspiring and the people are a joy to work with.”

Great Place To Work® UK administered their research-backed Trust Index© employee survey and analysed the responses of UK-based retail, hospitality and leisure employees to determine the Best Workplaces list. The surveys asked employees to comment on how their company supports their work-life balance, sense of fulfilment, job satisfaction, psychological safety and financial security. Evaluations also included an assessment of how well the organisation was able to deliver consistency of their employee experience across all departments and seniority levels.

Analysis of the sector employee survey responses found:

• 78% of employees at the UK’s Best Workplaces for Retail, Hospitality & Leisure say “I want to work here for a long time” compared to a UK average for sector of 56%

Andrew Ashby, Managing Director of Brusco Food Group, said: “At Brusco we aspire to set the benchmark for quality, service and integrity in food ingredients, so customers can buy with confidence. Attracting and retaining the best talent is essential to achieving our goals and it therefore makes me incredibly proud for Brusco to be recognised by Great Place To Work® UK and is a tribute to the hard work of our fantastic team.”

Jacqui Wren, Head of People at Brusco Food Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure. This really is a testament to the fantastic team ethic we have here at Brusco and the passion that we all have for our roles and wider industry. We know that highly engaged employees go the extra mile, and that’s one of the reasons Brusco is known for offering a high-quality service to our customers.”

Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place To Work® UK said: “The companies included in our 2024 Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure list have shown they’re champions of recruitment and retention, successfully addressing and providing for the unique needs of their people. Today we celebrate these workplaces where leaders don’t just want their people to stay – they actively invest in supporting them to flourish. A huge congratulations to Brusco Food Group for making this prestigious list.”

For more information on why Brusco is such a great place to work, visit the company’s website: www.brusco.co.uk

Cycling through wind, rain and glorious sunshine at times, a team of ‘Oakland and Friends’ battled to complete their 200-mile cycling challenge from Brighton to Warwick raising nearly £30,000, and as a whole group of 50-cycalists raised over £81,000 for children’s charity Molly Ollys!

Over the course of 3-days the cyclists suffered injury, blisters, punctures, and tested their endurance as they cycled up the many steep hills as the route progressed, with each stage a new cycling challenge.

Oakland and Friends team member and Molly Ollys ambassador Samuel Attwell said: “On behalf of us all we want to thank everyone for supporting us and the whole Molly Ollys 2024 cycling team as your donations will make such a huge difference to so many children living with a life-threatening illness.

“This money will now help grant 125 wishes for children with life threatening illnesses. THANK YOU!”

Molly Ollys supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families helping with their emotional wellbeing. They fulfil wishes by providing gifts to individual children, donating their therapeutic toy ‘Olly The Brave’ and his story books, donate and support bespoke projects such as funding a Paediatric Palliative Care Consultant, and by furnishing the Magnolia House palliative care facility, at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and so much more.

Molly Olly’s Rachel Ollerenshaw commented: “This year’s ride was certainly a challenge, but all the cyclists dug deep through difficult conditions because they wanted to make a difference. We had talked on Thursday night about the children we help and shared individual stories, this certainly helped to spur them on, knowing what these children go through on a day-to-day basis when undergoing treatment. A massive thanks to all the ‘Oakland and Friends’ team who contributed in so many ways and to all their supporters. A phenomenal achievement!”

Harlee, aged 3 was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and her treatment involves numerous visits to hospital over a long period of time which means missing out on the everyday fun things. The family got in touch to request a trip to CBeebies Land to give them something to look forward to.

Harlee absolutely loved it and mum, Lisa said: “Honestly, we can’t thank you enough for Harlee’s granted wish. She was absolutely amazed by the whole weekend especially meeting the real Bing and having her own Bing room. It was truly magical for her and filled her with so much happiness. Thank you once again.”

Oakland International Group CEO Shaun Foley added: “Every member of the Team wants to express their sincere gratitude for everyone’s support.”