Fresh meat has been identified, which has been produced in an unapproved cutting establishment, unknown to the originating district council. The fresh meat includes vacuum-packed cuts of beef and lamb, which are unlabelled. The unapproved establishment, L&M Meats, Northern Ireland, has been closed by the originating district council and a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order has been granted by a Magistrates Court.
Investigation by the originating district council is ongoing. However, due to the nature of the activities at the unapproved establishment, it has not been possible to obtain full distribution details or product traceability records for meat supplied from the establishment. There is known distribution to retail and wholesale establishments in the Republic of Ireland, however, it is possible that there may be distribution to establishments in Northern Ireland.
Identification of the product
The vacuum-packed cuts of meat supplied by L&M Meats, Northern Ireland, are not labelled with any information to assist with identification of the products. The information currently available indicates that the products are supplied to other establishments by L&M Meats, Northern Ireland.
Actions to be taken by district douncils
As the fresh meat was processed in an unapproved cutting establishment, it does not comply with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004, which lays down the specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin, and it fails to comply with the Food Hygiene Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006.
District councils are requested to check, during the course of routine visits to establishments in their area, for the supply of fresh meat by L&M Meats, Northern Ireland. Any fresh meat established as having been supplied from this source should be withdrawn from sale and destroyed. If necessary, the powers under Regulation 25 of the Food Hygiene Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 should be used.
