June 22, 2007

UK government: British bird flu-hit plant's practices acceptable

Audit reports from the British Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) have stated that working practices at the Bernard Matthews' bird flu-hit turkey processing plant in Holton, Suffolk, have been acceptable.

Published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the reports were based on MHS assessments of food safety management systems and regulation compliance at the processing facility.

MHS audit standards give ratings of excellent, acceptable, poor and unacceptable, and the reports indicated that the Bernard Matthews Holton plant was ranked in the acceptable or excellent range.

Such audit reports also act as a guide for food business operators to help ensure their practices are in line with legal requirements.