UK’s Indianorigin ‘chicken king’ in soup after factory fudges safety date

Indian-origin head of a sprawling UK food empire is facing a parliamentary and other inquiries after an undercover investigation found safety dates of chicken being allegedly manipulated in his factory.

Ranjit Singh Boparan, whose 2 Sisters Food Group is the UK’s second largest by turnover, is due to be called by the parliamentary committee on environment, food and rural affairs to answer questions on the scandal.

An investigation by The Guardian and ITV News showed poor hygiene standards at his factory and food safety records being allegedly altered that could lead to prolonging the shelf life of chicken. The food standards agency (FSA) also investigated the factory.

The Guardian said its investigation revealed an instance of workers altering the “kill date” of hundreds of chickens to one day later in August. Chicken portions returned by supermarket distribution centres were being repackaged and sent out again to rival grocers.

Other instances included workers dropping chicken on the floor of the processing plant and returning it to the production line, and chickens slaughtered on different dates being mixed on the production line.

A spokesman for 2 Sisters said: “We have now had an opportunity to view all the evidence and launch our own investigation. This is ongoing and we will ensure our inquiries are comprehensive and thorough. We will of course continue to work closely with all stakeholders during this phase.”

The FSA said its latest investigation did not find any breach, but chairperson Heather Hancock said: “It is the responsibility of a food business to ensure the food it sells is safe and what it says it is. We take any allegation of inaccurate labelling and breach in hygiene regulation very seriously”. Known as the “chicken king”, Wolverhampton-born Boparan, 51, founded the food group in West Bromwich with a bank loan in 1993.

LONDON:An