Recall of Frozen Pre-Cooked Chicken Range - Tegel

MEDIA STATEMENT


Voluntary Recall of Frozen Pre-Cooked Chicken Range - Tegel Foods Ltd

Tegel Foods Ltd is conducting a voluntary recall on six frozen pre-cooked chicken products after being alerted to a potential issue with the degree to which the products had been pre-cooked.

The products (available nationally through wholesalers and supermarkets) are:
Chicken Chargrilled Steak 800kg
Chargrill Flame Grilled Chicken Steak 1kg
Original Crumbed Chicken Breast Schnitzel 1kg
Takeouts Flame Grilled Original Chicken Steaks 600kg
Takeouts Flame Grilled Thai Original Chicken Steaks 600kg
Takeouts Golden Crumbed Schnitzel 600kg

All of the above with a five digit Lot Identifier numbers starting with a 2, and purchased since 1st January 2012 should not be consumed, distributed or sold. The Lot Identifier is found next to the “Best Before” date.

There have been no reports of any persons becoming ill from consuming the products in question.

CEO Andrew Stevens says Tegel takes food safety extremely seriously.

“The well-being of consumers is our top priority and safety is not negotiable.”

Tegel immediately launched an investigation following contact from two wholesale customers concerned about the degree to which two of the products had been pre-cooked.
“The products are isolated to one production line and our testing to date shows that only a very small proportion of the total number of the pre-cooked packets may be affected.

“However we are taking an extremely cautious and proactive approach by recalling all six pre-cooked frozen products from this one line. Consumers would have selected this product from store freezers.

“While we have had no reports of anyone becoming ill, consumers who may be concerned about their health after consuming these products may wish to seek advice from their healthcare professional.”

Mr Stevens said Tegel alerted the MAF - New Zealand Food Safety Authority the day it received the calls from the two customers. We have been in consultation with the Authority which is satisfied with our response, including the voluntary product recall and production line diagnostics,” said Mr Stevens.

“We have stopped producing cooked products on the one production line in question and as part of our rigorous safety protocols we have also fully tested all other Tegel production lines which show they are exceeding safety requirements.”

Mr Stevens says consumers who have any of these products should return to them to the store where they were purchased for a full refund.

The attached product recall notice will be published in metropolitan and regional newspapers and can be found on www.tegel.co.nz

Consumers requiring further information should contact 0800 244 253

Note: The product lines subject to this voluntary recall applies only to those produced and sold in New Zealand.

Ends.

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