Pork found in a Leicester school halal burger
Pork found in a Leicester school halal burger
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Firm behind pork scare in halal burgers say no traces have been found
The makers of halal lamb burgers at the centre of a contamination scare in Leicester schools, say new tests show their products were completely pork free.
Paragon Quality Foods – based near Doncaster – say their reputation has been 'unfairly damaged' by the results of the tests carried out on behalf of Leicester City Council.
Their burgers were withdrawn from 24 schools in the city as a precaution earlier this month.
Mayor of Leicester, Peter Soulsby, said the council wil do additional tests.
Burger maker says reputation has been 'unfairly damaged'
Paragon Quality Foods, the company at the centre of a scare over halal lamb burgers, say their products are 'pork free', despite tests by Leicester City Council.
The firm said the initial DNA tests carried out by the council, which found halal burgers contained some pork, were not carried out on a formal controlled sample .The company sent samples to an independent specialist.
– Metin Pekin, Paragon Quality Foods'I am pleased to announce that all of the results confirm that Paragon Halal Lamb burgers were clear of pork. Our good reputation has been unfairly damaged by the publications since May 8, 2013 and we trust that it will now be fully restored.'
Leicester City Council said last week that they had removed the burgers as a precautionary measure while further tests on the burgers were carried out. They also said they would no longer continue to work with the company,
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Halal burger tests challenged
The manufacturers of halal lamb burgers withdrawn from schools in Leicester after a sample was said to contain pork, have challenged the findings of the test.
Leicester City Council took the decision to remove all the halal lamb burgers from schools following the scare and 6000 letters were sent out to parents, following DNA tests at Doncaster-based Paragon Quality Foods Limited.
The company say the tests were not based on a formal controlled sample and are challenging the decision. They say their own independent analysis shows the results should have come back that the burgers were 'pork free'.
Fire out at Croft quarry
Firefighters have put out a blaze at a Leicestershire quarry that started last night.
Crews are revisiting the scene in Croft this morning to carry out investigation and damping work. Aggregate Industries who run the site believe operations will be affected by the fire.
– Aggregate Industries statement'The fire originated within the processing areas of the quarry, and thanks to a prompt and effective response by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, is currently contained. No Aggregate Industries staff were present when the fire originated. Over the coming days we will work to minimise disruption to surrounding communities, and will hold a full investigation once access to the affected areas is restored.'
Fire at Croft Quarry in Leicestershire
A fire has started at Croft Quarry in Leicestershire. Fire crews are at the scene.
Road closures at Croft Quarry fire
There is a fire at the quarry on Coventry Rd, Croft. Fire & Rescue Service are in charge. Leics Police are supporting with road closures.
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Fire at quarry in Leicestershire
Nearly 60 firefighters are at a blaze at Croft Quarry.
Leicestershire Fire Service says eight fire engines are also at the scene of the fire which began at around 18.50.
REPORT: Halal contamination at Leicester schools
An investigation is underway into how traces of pork ended up in halal lamb burgers served in schools in Leicester. The City Council has recalled the meat and written to six thousand families affected.
The Muslim community, which is banned from eating pork, say they're "shocked."
Here's our full report from Peter Bearne.
Investigation launched over halal contamination
The Food Standards Agency and Doncaster Metropolitan Council are investigating how, and where, pork got into halal lamb burgers that were then supplied to schools in Leicester.
Further tests are being carried out on remaining stock at Paragon Quality Foods in Doncaster.
– Adrian Russell, Leicester City CouncilThe city council is pressing the relevant authorities to investigate this matter as rigorously as possible. Food fraud is a serious offence and those responsible should face the full force of the law
The council has contacted the headteachers of the 19 schools potentially affected to advise them of the action being taken. 6000 letters have also been sent to parents of children at the schools concerned. Meetings have also taken place with Muslim city councillors.
19 of 24 schools that use halal affected
Leicester City Council say the only product they sourced from Doncaster-based Paragon Quality Foods was halal lamb burgers that were found to contain pork.
19 of the 24 schools in the city that use halal meat are affected.
– Trevor Pringle, Leicester City Council"We understand that since March 1st this year, the product supplier, Paragon Quality Foods Limited, has only been releasing product to customers after obtaining negative DNA results for pork.
However, as a precautionary measure we have removed all of the burgers we had in stock from this supplier whilst further investigation is carried out, and we will not be purchasing any further products from this supplier.We have made it clear to our suppliers that this is totally unacceptable, and we are taking urgent legal advice about the next steps.”
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