Coop food quality

I got this strong message from the Coop this morning. (Below) I think it shows good candour about past failings, encouraging news about current supplies and determination about the future.



"I wanted to update you following the completion of independent testing on our own-brand minced beef products.

In total, 101 of our products were tested for contamination as part of a mass testing exercise called for by the Food Standards Agency. None of these products, which cover the totality of our current minced beef food range, have been found to contain any trace of horse DNA.

Previously, you may recall, we did discover two lines of our frozen beef burgers that did contain horse meat and we immediately removed these from our shelves.

We are obviously pleased with the latest test results which demonstrate the existing stringency of our food supply chain. However, we are far from complacent about a matter which has so clearly shaken customer confidence in the food you eat.

Our independent testing will continue on a rolling basis to ensure on-going scrutiny. In the meantime, we are reviewing all of our meat supply chain and putting in place an enhanced process with greater transparency to ensure that we know the full provenance of all of our meat products. In fact, our testing across all of our food products is to be stepped up.

Let me repeat the sincere apology I made to our customers and members last week and assure you that we will do all we can to reinforce the integrity of our products and the trust that we have spent generations building up. "
Peter Marks
Group Chief Executive