Virgin suspends first-class meals after failing temperature tests

MEALS served in Virgin Trains’ firstclass carriages have been suspended from menus after tests showed they were not being kept cool enough.

Earlier this month all meals supplied by Newrest, a major caterer to train companies and airlines, were removed from Virgin Trains with immediate effect after two deliveries failed temperature tests.

Newrest supplies many of the complimentary meals for first-class passengers on Virgin Trains.

A spokesman for the company said the incident was related to the recent heatwave, which saw temperatures reach up to 93F (34C) on June 29, making it one of the warmest June days for 40 years. The failed temperature tests occurred on June 23 and June 30.

According to Food Standards Agency (FSA) guidelines, perishable food such as meat and dairy products need to be kept refrigerated to help slow bacterial growth and keep food safe for longer. When food is stored or transported in temperatures that are too warm there is a risk of bacteria growing, which could be harmful if eaten.

In addition, separate tests conducted over the past month found traces of harmful bacteria in two meat dishes

‘Virgin said it had at least one report of food poisoning that was potentially linked to the incident’

that were on Virgin’s first-class carriage menus.

Tests on June 27 found E.coli bacteria in a Welsh lamb dish, and on July 5 bacillus cereus was discovered in a chicken tikka dish made by Newrest.

Although the levels of bacteria detected were within “safe” limits, Virgin said it has had at least one report of food poisoning that was potentially linked to the incident. It said this contributed to the decision to withdraw Newrest meals from menus.

Newrest added that all affected food was destroyed as a precaution.

The company also supplies Eurostar, the Caledonian Sleeper, British Airways, Thomas Cook, Tui, Ryanair and easyjet. It said only Virgin Trains had been affected by the incidents.

According to Newrest’s website it provides 49,900 meals on trains and 328,541 on aircraft every day.

The incident comes after five hospital patients died after eating prepacked sandwiches containing listeria bacteria. The sandwiches were supplied by the Good Food Chain, a company based in Stone, Staffordshire. It was cleared by the FSA of causing the outbreak, but went into liquidation after suspending production.

♦ Do you have a consumer issue that needs investigating? Email Katie Morley, our Consumer Champion: kminvestigates@telegraph.co.uk