Firm in hospital sandwich scandal flouted safety rules

THE sandwich supplier at the centre of the listeria outbreak was warned for breaching rules on recording the temperature of goods – a key measure to stop bacteria spreading.

An inspection of The Good Food Chain in 2017 found temperatures on some delivery records were filled out beforehand rather than being left blank for staff to complete after orders were dispatched.

The Good Food Chain said the issue was dealt with immediately.

Its premises had not been inspected for 11 months when its sandwiches were identified as the source of a deadly outbreak that has killed five hospital patients.

The firm said last night the breach involved pre-printed temperatures on labels for goods kept at ambient temperature, such as tinned or dried foods, and did not involve ingredients that needed chilling.

But a leading food expert said it undermined measures to avoid the spread of infections.

Professor Tim Lang, of the Centre for Food Policy at City, University of London, said: ‘If temperatures were already pre-printed into forms this would completely destroy the whole purpose of having such forms, which is to record the truth and to identify risks.

‘It makes a mockery of good risk management. If this is allowed to be done to form filling, it might also indicate that there are more serious failings elsewhere.’

The inspection, carried out by Stafford Borough Council in June 2017, said pre-filled forms should be withdrawn immediately. It also found another breach at The Good Food Chain, which is based in Stone, Staffordshire, that needed tackling immediately.

Its report said: ‘ The blade of a heavy duty can opener was dirty, which would cause contamination... in the next tin opened.’

In addition, it criticised the ‘dirty’ condition of the staff microwave, a possible infection source.

Despite these concerns, the company – founded by classic car enthusiast Martyn Corfield, 50 – was given the maximum overall rating of five out of five.

Stafford Borough Council said it was checked last June, by which time the issues had been rectified.

It was not inspected again until May 22 – after the investigation into the listeria outbreak had begun. It has subsequently voluntarily ceased production.

A council spokesman said: ‘Until the company can satisfy us and the Food Standards Agency that there is no risk to public health then production at the business will not recommence.’

The Good Food Chain said: ‘Basic information was included on the delivery forms in advance by one member of staff who took it from the purchase order.

‘ If a temperature box was checked in advance it would have been to indicate that the delivery related to ambient goods. This is supported by the fact that there were plainly no safety concerns because the inspectors gave a fivestar rating after this inspection.’

The firm’s spokesman said that ‘at no stage’ did the practice apply to chilled goods. Meat used in the contaminated sandwiches was supplied to The Good Food Chain by North Country Cooked Meats, which has also closed voluntarily while investigations continue.

It was last inspected by Salford Council in February and passed all hygiene and safety checks.

Yesterday, The Sunday Mirror reported how North Country Cooked Meats was investigated over listeria in 2009 and 2010.

A Salford Council spokesman said: ‘We detected listeria in 2009 and 2010 and the company acted promptly to deal with it.’

North Country Cooked Meats declined to comment last night.

All those who died in the current listeria outbreak ate The Good Food Chain’s pre-packed chicken salad sandwiches. It supplied 43 NHS trusts, but its products have since been withdrawn.

Two of the patients who died were at Manchester Royal Infirmary and one was at Aintree Hospital in Liverpool.

Public Health England announced two further deaths on Friday. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has ordered a ‘root-andbranch review’ of hospital food.

‘A mockery of good risk management’