Apprentice winner recalls cakes over labelling blunder
ABERYSTWYTH Apprentice winner Alana Spencer has spoken about how she told Sir Alan Sugar about the listing blunder that led to her recalling a range of cakes and brownies.
Ridiculously Rich by Alana had to issue a recall of the products due to concerns about allergen listings.
This meant the products were a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to soya, egg or peanuts, and/or an allergy or intolerance to wheat, barley and oats (gluten) and/or a sensitivity to sulphites.
The worst part was breaking the news to business partner Lord Sugar, who has invested £250,000 into the venture.
Perhaps unsurprisingly she tried to break the news by email but was immediately called by the business mogul for a few words.
“It’s been a hell of a week,” Alana said. “I feel terrible because I know I have let my customers down, I’ve let Lord Sugar down and, worst of all, I’ve let myself down.”
Added Alana: “I was at home early in the morning reading emails and there was one from this Trading Standards officer telling me he’d bought a box of my products online and there was a labelling issue which needed to be corrected right away.”
Alana insists the inaccurate labelling only applied to products sold online. But, she added: “No excuses, this was 100% a mistake. It should never have happened and I am truly sorry that it did. I’m totally mortified.” And on telling Lord Sugar. “He was not happy, obviously, but if you’re honest with him, tell him what’s gone wrong and what you’re doing to ensure it doesn’t happen again, he will support you,” she said.
“Initially, I sent him an email to explain but he phoned me straight away and asked, ‘Is it sorted?’.
“Then he gave me a list of things I needed to do and at the end of the conversation, he said, ‘Ok Alana, do not let it happen again. Now move on.’
“The labels are all correct now and we’re recruiting a food technologist to take care of this side of the business in the future.”