‘Don’t let it happen again’ – what Sugar told ‘mortified’ Alana
THE first Welsh winner of The Apprentice Alana Spencer has revealed what she told Lord Sugar after some of her cakes were recalled over potential health risks.
A range of cakes made by Spencer, from Aberystwyth, were recalled this week by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Ridiculously Rich by Alana recalled the cakes because some allergens had not been listed and others were not correctly declared.
Customers who had bought products including the Belgian Chocolate Rocky Road, Peanut Butter Fudge Cake, and Gooey Chocolate Brownie were advised – if they had allergies to soya, peanuts, nuts, eggs and/or allergy or intolerance to wheat, barley, oats (gluten), milk and/or a sensitivity to sulphites – not to eat them, and instead return them to the store where they bought them from for a refund.
The FSA website said the company had also issued correspondence to its customers to explain why products were being recalled, telling them what to do if they had bought the product.
Spencer, who became the first Welsh winner of the BBC show in 2016, has revealed how she explained to her business partner and mentor Lord Sugar what had happened.
Spencer told the BBC: “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. 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.”
Alana explained that she was at home when a trading standards officer contacted her to let know about the issue when he bought a box of her products online.
It was then reported to the FSA, who issued a health warning saying that allergens were “not correctly declared”. Alana said she was “mortified”. She said: “It’s been a hell of a week. ”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.
“No excuses, this was 100% a mistake. It should never have happened and I am truly sorry that it did. I’m totally mortified.”