Morrisons stores ‘warned over food hygiene’
Environmental health inspectors noted breaches of rules at Paisley stores at centre of outbreak TWO SCOTTISH supermarkets at the centre of an E coli outbreak which has claimed the life of a pensioner had been warned overcontraventionsoffood hygiene procedures, the Sunday Herald can reveal.
Reports from environmental health officers have highlighted more than 20 concerns over standards at the Falside Road and Lonend branches of Morrisons in Paisley in the past three years. It is believed that cold cooked meats from the delicatessen counters at these stores are the most likely source of the deadly E coli 0157 infection which has so far affected a total of nine people.
Among the issues raised by inspectors from Renfrewshire Council were:
l Poorfood-handlingprocedures which "must be addressed".
l Concerns over the safety of meat pies being displayed for sale for up to 12 hours at room temperatures.
l Raw eggs being stored on warm surfaces which could allow the growth of harmful bacteria.
l Opened foodstuffs in the butchery chilldepartmentwhichwerenot labelled with a use-by sticker, as required by the company policy.
l Concerns about the risk of cross-contamination between raw meat and poultry in the "reduced to clear" cabinet.
l Food temperature probes being encrusted with food debris.
The outbreak of E coli came to light last week after the death of 66-year-old MargaretRowan,fromPaisley.A further eight cases have been identified, the most recent of which emerged on Friday.Threepeople,including Rowan's 72-year-old husband Stephen, are still being treated in hospital.
While investigations into the exact source of the bug are continuing, health chiefs leading the outbreak control team have stated that cold cooked meatsfrom Morrisons' Lonend and Falside Road branches are "the most likely vehicles of infection".
An inspection of the Falside Road store in October 2005 resulted in seven contraventions of food safety regulations being noted, and in May this year a further 10 points were raised by inspectors. The most recent report stated that there were "some poor food-handling procedures which must be addressedpriortothenextprogrammed inspection".
At the Lonend store, an inspection in August 2006 listed four contraventions of regulations, including the practice of storing raw eggs on a warm cooker surface,whichcouldincreasethe potential for bacterial growth.
The latest report on the store, issued in March this year, noted two concerns including that "a variety of meat pies are cooked and thereafter displayed for sale for up to 12 hours".
It added: "I would be obliged if you would provide me with details of analysis fortheproductsimplicatedinthis practice which demonstrate that they comply with food safety requirements after being stored at ambient temperatures for 12 hours."
Thereportalsowarnedthatthe delivery temperatures of refrigerated vans were not being recorded, which could be a "potential shortcoming" in the company's food safety policy and "due diligence defence", which can be used to show that all reasonable practical steps have been taken to prevent an incident from happening if any legal action is taken.
Leading food safety expert Hugh Pennington,a former emeritusprofessorofmicrobiologyatAberdeen University, said that while the faults reported did not suggest an increased risk of E coli infection, it raised questions over the standards at the stores.
"They are not perfect reports and one wouldexpectabigbusinesslike Morrisons to be able to deliver a pretty clean sheet," he said. "It is always disappointing to find a big firm falling down a bit."
Ishbel Mackinnon, the co-ordinator of EcolisupportgroupHaemolytic Uraemic Syndrome Help (Hush), said food safety procedures had been tightened since the world's worst E coli outbreak claimed 21 lives in Wishaw in 1996.
But she added: "At the end of the day these regulations are only as good as the people that are implementing them.
"I am concerned that perhaps more needs to be done in the way of training to make sure everyone is totally aware of what the regulations are and why things are being done."
A spokesmanforMorrisons said it had a "strong history" of good hygiene compliance. "Asisconsistentwiththe norm for the industry, we receive regular routine assessmentofourfoodpreparation areas," he added. "Actions arising from the inspection reports are promptly and professionallytaken,aswouldbe expected of one of the UK's leading retailers."
An investigation by the Sunday Herald has also revealed that councils across Scotland are failing to carry out foodhygieneinspectionsatthe minimumrequiredfrequencies.A review of local authorities' food law enforcement services, which is being carried out by the Food Standards Agency, has identified this as an issue in 16 out of 24 councils audited to date.
Tom Bell, chief executive of the Royal EnvironmentalHealthInstituteof Scotland, warned that a shortage of environmental health officers was an ongoing problem."There are still a numberofstudentscomingoutof university without training places, and thenumberofvacanciesinlocal authorities is not sufficient to meet the needs of the future," he said.
A spokeswoman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) said there was a range of reasons why some inspections were not carried out withintheplanned timescale, including staff being diverted to emergency incidents or not being able to get access to premises.
But she acknowledged that there have been"capacityproblems"inthe environmental health workforce in all parts of the UK and added that Cosla was working with councils to address workforce planning issues.
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Posted by: Plobotsky on 1:01am Sun 19 Aug 07
What worries me is that SNP policies to scrap council tax for local income tax, and to cut business rates, will lead to even less funding for councils to protect the public. There's a £450m black hole in their spending plans. We can't trust stores like Morrisons and councils will need more, not less, resources to keep an eye on them.
What worries me is that SNP policies to scrap council tax for local income tax, and to cut business rates, will lead to even less funding for councils to protect the public. There's a £450m black hole in their spending plans. We can't trust stores like Morrisons and councils will need more, not less, resources to keep an eye on them.
Posted by: Mark Boyle, Johnstone on 2:13am Sun 19 Aug 07
Worried my backside in parsley you are, you're only interested in making capital on the back of this, you sicko!
If you want to blame any party, blame Labour, whose councils let supermarket chains and builders get away with anything they liked for years so long as they were buying up land to fill council coffers with (and to blazes with the social or economic impact of what was being built). Is it any wonder both have thought they could get away - literally in this case - with murder?
The sooner a Corporate Slaughter Law is passed in Parliament so those responsible can be JAILED, never mind fined, the better.
But so long as Westminster is dominated by Labourite and Tory MPs who are "consultants" (that euphamism of the modern era for "bought") for big business, this will never happen. At least, not in a British Parliament...
Worried my backside in parsley you are, you're only interested in making capital on the back of this, you sicko!
If you want to blame any party, blame Labour, whose councils let supermarket chains and builders get away with anything they liked for years so long as they were buying up land to fill council coffers with (and to blazes with the social or economic impact of what was being built). Is it any wonder both have thought they could get away - literally in this case - with murder?
The sooner a Corporate Slaughter Law is passed in Parliament so those responsible can be JAILED, never mind fined, the better.
But so long as Westminster is dominated by Labourite and Tory MPs who are "consultants" (that euphamism of the modern era for "bought") for big business, this will never happen. At least, not in a British Parliament...
Posted by: Plobotsky on 2:23am Sun 19 Aug 07
Mark Boyle from Johnstone - you didn't read my posting, did you? Calm down.
I am concerned that local councils will be deprived of revenue funding to resource Environmental Health officers, because of forthcoming spending cuts. That includes SNP-led councils.
I'm not blaming anyone other than Morrison's for the poisoning scandal. I do think that SNP fiscal policy will lead to more of the same. This has nothing to do with the bulding of more supermarkets which you were ranting about.
Mark Boyle from Johnstone - you didn't read my posting, did you? Calm down.
I am concerned that local councils will be deprived of revenue funding to resource Environmental Health officers, because of forthcoming spending cuts. That includes SNP-led councils.
I'm not blaming anyone other than Morrison's for the poisoning scandal. I do think that SNP fiscal policy will lead to more of the same. This has nothing to do with the bulding of more supermarkets which you were ranting about.
Posted by: Kevin, Glasgow on 3:02am Sun 19 Aug 07
A major theme of the SNP manifesto was the cutting red tape, to favour the light hand of regulation. It may sound attractive but the red tape is the only protection workers and consumers have. More taxation with rigourous regulation and enforcement is the way to protect citizens. Pandering to the less tax, less regulation, less enforcement business lobby puts us all at risk!
A major theme of the SNP manifesto was the cutting red tape, to favour the light hand of regulation. It may sound attractive but the red tape is the only protection workers and consumers have. More taxation with rigourous regulation and enforcement is the way to protect citizens. Pandering to the less tax, less regulation, less enforcement business lobby puts us all at risk!
Posted by: Davie, Dunfermline on 5:51am Sun 19 Aug 07
Occasional visits from Environmental Health Officers can never guarantee standards 24*7. Only the threat of punitive damages or jail sentences will concentrate the minds of management. The current level of fines is a minor irritation and they brush off the bad publicity with denials.
Occasional visits from Environmental Health Officers can never guarantee standards 24*7. Only the threat of punitive damages or jail sentences will concentrate the minds of management. The current level of fines is a minor irritation and they brush off the bad publicity with denials.
Posted by: James, Lanarkshire on 6:53am Sun 19 Aug 07
Standards at Morrisons have slipped greatly since they took over from Safeways, I continually find out of date products on the shelves and am now very carefully check the date of any food stuffs I purchase there.
Standards at Morrisons have slipped greatly since they took over from Safeways, I continually find out of date products on the shelves and am now very carefully check the date of any food stuffs I purchase there.
Posted by: Rab The Man, WAS MY UNCLE on 8:25am Sun 19 Aug 07
[quote][bold]Plobotsky[/bold] wrote:
Mark Boyle from Johnstone - you didn't read my posting, did you? Calm down. I am concerned that local councils will be deprived of revenue funding to resource Environmental Health officers, because of forthcoming spending cuts. That includes SNP-led councils. I'm not blaming anyone other than Morrison's for the poisoning scandal. I do think that SNP fiscal policy will lead to more of the same. This has nothing to do with the bulding of more supermarkets which you were ranting about. [/quote] This is a matter of public safety which labour trolls like you are trying sadly to politicise.
If...repeat IF....the local authorities aren't policing this correctly then it has to be addressed regardless of cost, but the book should be thrown at the Supermarket if...repeat IF..they are found to be in breach again having been warned. I'm from Wishaw and remember very well indeed the pain and distress that E Coli caused there previously.
Chuck yer politics in the bin Sir (and isn't Paisley a labour fiefdom anyhow?) this issue should be of GREAT concern to the entire community it ........this is too serious for party references !!!!
Plobotsky wrote:
Mark Boyle from Johnstone - you didn't read my posting, did you? Calm down. I am concerned that local councils will be deprived of revenue funding to resource Environmental Health officers, because of forthcoming spending cuts. That includes SNP-led councils. I'm not blaming anyone other than Morrison's for the poisoning scandal. I do think that SNP fiscal policy will lead to more of the same. This has nothing to do with the bulding of more supermarkets which you were ranting about.
This is a matter of public safety which labour trolls like you are trying sadly to politicise.
If...repeat IF....the local authorities aren't policing this correctly then it has to be addressed regardless of cost, but the book should be thrown at the Supermarket if...repeat IF..they are found to be in breach again having been warned. I'm from Wishaw and remember very well indeed the pain and distress that E Coli caused there previously.
Chuck yer politics in the bin Sir (and isn't Paisley a labour fiefdom anyhow?) this issue should be of GREAT concern to the entire community it ........this is too serious for party references !!!!
Posted by: Donald, Haddington on 8:36am Sun 19 Aug 07
Listing all these 'contraventions' is interesting but irrelevant. What [italic]would[/italic] be relevant is the response of the stores to the points raised by the Envirnomental Health Officers. Did they accept the points and take immediate steps to rectify them and ensure no future problems in which case the relevance to the current problem is at best slim. Or did they ignore the points raised in which case their relevance is significant and would really focus attention on a) why they did not take steps to deal with the points b) what effect this had on the current crisis and perhaps most importantly c) why did the Environmental Health Officers fail to follow up on their original complaints and ensure by using their legal powers that the unsatisfactory situtation was resolved. In short, publishing these extracts from official inspections doesn't begin to tell the whole story and whilst it suggests that the situation in the shops was far from ideal it also suggests that the local Environmental Health Dept also have some questions to answer. As always lack of resources is and will be blamed for infrequent/inadequat
e inspections but that is a question of local priorities and not taxation policies. Let's be honest even those local authorities who scream 'under-funding' find money for pretty rose-beds! If safe food is important to people then hiring an extra EHO or two (if that is the answer) has got to be a better option than a fountain or a community ballet tutor or indeed the pretty rose beds!
Listing all these 'contraventions' is interesting but irrelevant. What
would be relevant is the response of the stores to the points raised by the Envirnomental Health Officers. Did they accept the points and take immediate steps to rectify them and ensure no future problems in which case the relevance to the current problem is at best slim. Or did they ignore the points raised in which case their relevance is significant and would really focus attention on a) why they did not take steps to deal with the points b) what effect this had on the current crisis and perhaps most importantly c) why did the Environmental Health Officers fail to follow up on their original complaints and ensure by using their legal powers that the unsatisfactory situtation was resolved. In short, publishing these extracts from official inspections doesn't begin to tell the whole story and whilst it suggests that the situation in the shops was far from ideal it also suggests that the local Environmental Health Dept also have some questions to answer. As always lack of resources is and will be blamed for infrequent/inadequat
e inspections but that is a question of local priorities and not taxation policies. Let's be honest even those local authorities who scream 'under-funding' find money for pretty rose-beds! If safe food is important to people then hiring an extra EHO or two (if that is the answer) has got to be a better option than a fountain or a community ballet tutor or indeed the pretty rose beds!
Posted by: wee folding bike on 8:36am Sun 19 Aug 07
Plobotsky,
Calm down yourself.
Your very fist line was a baseless attack on the SNP and an attempt at scare-mongering.
The SNP have been in power since May. Labour have held sway in Scotland for 50 years and in the UK for 10. Who is more to blame for current conditions? Did you think to blame local Labour politicians?
This kind of thing helped Labour to lose the election. To that you add a new strand, don't vote SNP because we will all be poisoned by our pies. This "sky is falling" over reaction will not win the next election for Labour nor will it give us a credible opposition.
Plobotsky,
Calm down yourself.
Your very fist line was a baseless attack on the SNP and an attempt at scare-mongering.
The SNP have been in power since May. Labour have held sway in Scotland for 50 years and in the UK for 10. Who is more to blame for current conditions? Did you think to blame local Labour politicians?
This kind of thing helped Labour to lose the election. To that you add a new strand, don't vote SNP because we will all be poisoned by our pies. This "sky is falling" over reaction will not win the next election for Labour nor will it give us a credible opposition.
Posted by: j gourlay, fife on 8:52am Sun 19 Aug 07
I HAVE USED MORRISONS STORES IN BOTH FIFE AND FOR FIVE YEARS IN YORKSHIRE ,AND DONT KNOW WHAT HAS WENT WRONG THIS TIME AS I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THEM TO BE A1 IN HYGENE AND VERY CLEAN IN EVERY DEPARTMENT IN FACT ONE OF THE BEST SUPERMARKETS TO SHOP IN.
I HAVE USED MORRISONS STORES IN BOTH FIFE AND FOR FIVE YEARS IN YORKSHIRE ,AND DONT KNOW WHAT HAS WENT WRONG THIS TIME AS I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THEM TO BE A1 IN HYGENE AND VERY CLEAN IN EVERY DEPARTMENT IN FACT ONE OF THE BEST SUPERMARKETS TO SHOP IN.
Posted by: BM, Glasgow on 8:56am Sun 19 Aug 07
So the food inspectors know about the dangerous practices at these stores, but were content to wait till they had killed someone before taking action? This sounds like negligence from the local authority as well as from the supermarkets.
So the food inspectors know about the dangerous practices at these stores, but were content to wait till they had killed someone before taking action? This sounds like negligence from the local authority as well as from the supermarkets.
Posted by: Thomas on 10:07am Sun 19 Aug 07
[quote][bold]James[/bold] wrote:
Standards at Morrisons have slipped greatly since they took over from Safeways, I continually find out of date products on the shelves and am now very carefully check the date of any food stuffs I purchase there.[/quote] Exactly the same nose-dive in quality is evident at Anniesland since Morrisons took over the marvellous Safeway store there. Some of the stuff they put on the "Still fresh:reduced to clear" shelves is anything but fresh and belongs in the bin. If you DO complain, the staff are excellent. The finger of blame points to senior management in this Group. Parliament is on holiday-just when you need awkward questions asked about this cheapskate, cost-cutting, provincially minded North of England outfit.
James wrote:
Standards at Morrisons have slipped greatly since they took over from Safeways, I continually find out of date products on the shelves and am now very carefully check the date of any food stuffs I purchase there.
Exactly the same nose-dive in quality is evident at Anniesland since Morrisons took over the marvellous Safeway store there. Some of the stuff they put on the "Still fresh:reduced to clear" shelves is anything but fresh and belongs in the bin. If you DO complain, the staff are excellent. The finger of blame points to senior management in this Group. Parliament is on holiday-just when you need awkward questions asked about this cheapskate, cost-cutting, provincially minded North of England outfit.
Posted by: A Shopper, A Shop on 10:28am Sun 19 Aug 07
What worries me is the way the articles in this web edition are ruined by theprintbeingruntoge
ther. Does nobody ever proof this before it goes public?
I know this is not the first complaint about this.
Web Editor doyourjob.
Thomas, are you sure it's not you who is provincially-minded? I found Safeway second-rate and the clear evidence from other branches is that quality and conditions have improved since Morrison's took over.
What worries me is the way the articles in this web edition are ruined by theprintbeingruntoge
ther. Does nobody ever proof this before it goes public?
I know this is not the first complaint about this.
Web Editor doyourjob.
Thomas, are you sure it's not you who is provincially-minded? I found Safeway second-rate and the clear evidence from other branches is that quality and conditions have improved since Morrison's took over.
Posted by: john montgomery on 10:51am Sun 19 Aug 07
go into any bakers and the staff will handle money and foodstuffs without any cleaning or utensils. any shops are guilty but try saying to staff what they are doing wrong and wait for the fireworks.
go into any bakers and the staff will handle money and foodstuffs without any cleaning or utensils. any shops are guilty but try saying to staff what they are doing wrong and wait for the fireworks.
Posted by: JD, Stirlingshire on 11:09am Sun 19 Aug 07
I agree with the post above. There's bad practice everywhere. They even put on little rubber gloves for hygiene but still handle money and food with them on - missing the point entirely.
My friend works for another Morrisons and says that the staff are encouraged by managers to change the sell-by dates on things that haven't sold so targets over keeping waste down can be met.
What's needed is one of these name and shame undercover documentaries raise awareness of the issue and put stores underpressure to comply with legislation.
I agree with the post above. There's bad practice everywhere. They even put on little rubber gloves for hygiene but still handle money and food with them on - missing the point entirely.
My friend works for another Morrisons and says that the staff are encouraged by managers to change the sell-by dates on things that haven't sold so targets over keeping waste down can be met.
What's needed is one of these name and shame undercover documentaries raise awareness of the issue and put stores underpressure to comply with legislation.
Posted by: concerned shopper, Paisley on 12:35pm Sun 19 Aug 07
I complained a few weeks ago about meat pies being handled without either tongs or gloves. Management toldme this was their "Clean Hands" policy. I have since not bought anything from the Lonend store which is not prepacked. Hopefully this preactice will now be changed.
I complained a few weeks ago about meat pies being handled without either tongs or gloves. Management toldme this was their "Clean Hands" policy. I have since not bought anything from the Lonend store which is not prepacked. Hopefully this preactice will now be changed.
Posted by: Thomas on 2:13pm Sun 19 Aug 07
JD, Stirlingshire on 11:09am today
"My friend works for another Morrisons and says that the staff are encouraged by managers to change the sell-by dates on things that haven't sold so targets over keeping waste down can be met."
This is horrifying and chimes with my experience at Morrison's Anniesland (see Thomas on 10:07am) today. I now travel an extra 2-3 miles to Sainsbury Drumchapel.
JD, Stirlingshire on 11:09am today
"My friend works for another Morrisons and says that the staff are encouraged by managers to change the sell-by dates on things that haven't sold so targets over keeping waste down can be met."
This is horrifying and chimes with my experience at Morrison's Anniesland (see Thomas on 10:07am) today. I now travel an extra 2-3 miles to Sainsbury Drumchapel.
Posted by: jayne on 3:11pm Sun 19 Aug 07
According to best practises for food establishments as well as health laws. Unless kept chilled between 1-4 deg foods should only be displayed at room temp for no more than 4 hours. I regulalry shop at Morrisons but have never bought any pies for this reason. I have asked why they do it and have been told quite curtly that that is their policy!!
According to best practises for food establishments as well as health laws. Unless kept chilled between 1-4 deg foods should only be displayed at room temp for no more than 4 hours. I regulalry shop at Morrisons but have never bought any pies for this reason. I have asked why they do it and have been told quite curtly that that is their policy!!
Posted by: Andy, Glasgow on 8:36pm Sun 19 Aug 07
See that sign that says [bold]"now wash your hands"[/bold] they actually mean that you should.
See that sign that says
"now wash your hands" they actually mean that you should.
Posted by: valerie kenny, livingston on 10:09pm Sun 19 Aug 07
has anyone considered that this may be a supplier problem,
has anyone considered that this may be a supplier problem,
Posted by: Heather, Glasgow on 11:20am Mon 20 Aug 07
While I'm sure the Sunday Herald is quite pleased with itself for breaking this story and for calling up a few councils for some numbers regarding job vacancies, it's time for a reality check.
Why are we reading about this AFTER it has caused a death, not before?
Why weren't these systematic, in-your-face violations reported sooner?
How many other supermarkets are racking up similar tallies?
Why has this family of papers chosen not to rake either the councils or the supermarkets over the coals before now?
Is the media ready to accept the part it played in these deaths by ignoring this issue until it was too late?
How about an in-depth report of violations by supermarket and by local area?
How about putting a little effort into real investigative journalism now, before this happens again somewhere else?
While I'm sure the Sunday Herald is quite pleased with itself for breaking this story and for calling up a few councils for some numbers regarding job vacancies, it's time for a reality check.
Why are we reading about this AFTER it has caused a death, not before?
Why weren't these systematic, in-your-face violations reported sooner?
How many other supermarkets are racking up similar tallies?
Why has this family of papers chosen not to rake either the councils or the supermarkets over the coals before now?
Is the media ready to accept the part it played in these deaths by ignoring this issue until it was too late?
How about an in-depth report of violations by supermarket and by local area?
How about putting a little effort into real investigative journalism now, before this happens again somewhere else?
Posted by: Elizabeth, overseas on 11:22pm Tue 21 Aug 07
Please do be careful, over here we are having problems with getting meat from China, it is killing folks, we ask at the grocery store where the meat is from, sometimes the butcher gets highly upset as he really does not want to tell you where it is from, we are also having problems with the fast food industry, they make a hamburger for you, and then they spit in it, everything that is edible is becoming poison.
Please do be careful, over here we are having problems with getting meat from China, it is killing folks, we ask at the grocery store where the meat is from, sometimes the butcher gets highly upset as he really does not want to tell you where it is from, we are also having problems with the fast food industry, they make a hamburger for you, and then they spit in it, everything that is edible is becoming poison.
Posted by: MsJ, Glasgow on 1:51am Sun 26 Aug 07
Morrisons are not alone here. Another leading company I know of (which considers itself to be "posh" too) has the same problems. I worked at one of their stores in the Administration Department and was shocked by the results of one particular inspection. The low scores were in very important areas but staff there had no real concern that it was them who had breached guidelines and even ignored the law concerning certain foodstuffs. They didn't care! So don't focus just on Morrisons, it is happening everywhere.
Morrisons are not alone here. Another leading company I know of (which considers itself to be "posh" too) has the same problems. I worked at one of their stores in the Administration Department and was shocked by the results of one particular inspection. The low scores were in very important areas but staff there had no real concern that it was them who had breached guidelines and even ignored the law concerning certain foodstuffs. They didn't care! So don't focus just on Morrisons, it is happening everywhere.
Posted by: john on 10:57pm Wed 5 Sep 07
Supermarkets should have better records than this - but it's a bit unfair that Morrisons are being singled out here. Look at any councils reports and almost every supermarket has something or a few things amiss. Remember the BBC documentary about Tesco and Sainsbury?
Supermarkets should have better records than this - but it's a bit unfair that Morrisons are being singled out here. Look at any councils reports and almost every supermarket has something or a few things amiss. Remember the BBC documentary about Tesco and Sainsbury?
Posted by: maureen reid, north ayrshire on 11:37am Fri 12 Oct 07
[quote][bold]concerned shopper[/bold] wrote:
I complained a few weeks ago about meat pies being handled without either tongs or gloves. Management toldme this was their "Clean Hands" policy. I have since not bought anything from the Lonend store which is not prepacked. Hopefully this preactice will now be changed.[/quote] My local Morrisons at Stevenston North Ayrshire also has a clean hands policy and cut cold meat directly on to the bare hand. This is unnecessary as they could easily cut onto a piece of paper thus minimising the chance of contamination. I don't buy my meat there anymore as they refuse to change their policy. I have now referred the matter to the food standards agency.It begs the question when are hands clean, 5 mins after washing, 10 mins after washing? In the meantime staff may have touvhed hair, nose, skin, clothing etc etc.
concerned shopper wrote:
I complained a few weeks ago about meat pies being handled without either tongs or gloves. Management toldme this was their "Clean Hands" policy. I have since not bought anything from the Lonend store which is not prepacked. Hopefully this preactice will now be changed.
My local Morrisons at Stevenston North Ayrshire also has a clean hands policy and cut cold meat directly on to the bare hand. This is unnecessary as they could easily cut onto a piece of paper thus minimising the chance of contamination. I don't buy my meat there anymore as they refuse to change their policy. I have now referred the matter to the food standards agency.It begs the question when are hands clean, 5 mins after washing, 10 mins after washing? In the meantime staff may have touvhed hair, nose, skin, clothing etc etc.
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