Thursday 12 November 2020
As a precautionary measure Guernsey Dairy has withdrawn from sale a batch of silver packet unsalted butter to ensure the product meets the highest quality.
Guernsey Dairy Managing Director Andrew Tabel said there was no immediate risk to public health, and anyone who had consumed the product should not be alarmed. No other products are affected.
All Guernsey Dairy products undergo testing before being released for sale. The affected batch passed all initial tests before being distributed, but a subsequent test indicated a slightly higher than expected level of bacteria. Although this was still within the food standards requirements, Guernsey Dairy has removed from sale all the affected batch, which is marked with the production code 131 and a 'Best before' date of 11 December 2020.
The problem does not affect salted butter (gold packets), which accounts for nearly 90% of Guernsey Dairy's butter sales. This remains on sale and is available through retail outlets and milk distributors. A previous batch of unsalted butter, dated "Best before" 20 November, is also not affected and remains on sale.
Mr Tabel said: "I can reassure all of our customers that there is no cause for concern, even if you have already consumed the butter in question. We take the quality of our products very seriously, which is the primary reason for withdrawing this particular batch from sale as a precautionary measure.
"We would however ask customers to return any remaining packs to the point of purchase or to the Guernsey Dairy where provision will be made for its replacement.
"All our products undergo a robust and meticulous testing schedule before being released for sale. Whilst this batch of unsalted butter passed all initial mandatory tests, when subsequently tested a fortnight later we were concerned that the product showed higher than expected levels of bacteria. Although still within all regulatory standards, we have undertaken a responsible approach and made the decision to recall this particular batch of unsalted butter as a precautionary measure.
"Guernsey Dairy's focus on the safety and quality of its products remains paramount.
More than half of the recalled batch of unsalted butter has been retrieved from retailers and distributors. Approximately 2,000 packs are not accounted for, some of which may already have been used.
Q. How do I know if my butter is from the recalled batch?
The affected batch is marked with the production code 131 and a 'Best before' date of 11 December 2020.
Q. How long has this batch been in circulation?
The butter has been on sale for two weeks (first packs left Guernsey Dairy on 31 October).
Q. What tests are carried out before unsalted butter goes for sale?
All Guernsey Dairy butter is tested multiple times at the time of manufacture and packing for contamination with Enterobacteriaceae ("Entero."). For unsalted butter 12 tests per batch are carried out and all must be clear before the product is released for sale. The tests are carried out by trained laboratory staff and the product is held at Guernsey Dairy in quarantine until testing is completed. This amount of testing is significantly higher than the legally required 5 tests.
Q. What test did the butter fail?
Traces of Entero. were detected in a subsequent test, carried out by an external lab. This is undertaken as part of the Dairy's routine testing schedule.
Q. When was the issue detected?
The test samples were dispatched to the UK on the 3rd November and results were received on the 10th November.
Q. When was a decision taken to recall the batch?
Following receipt of the test results from the UK laboratory, all remaining stocks of unsalted butter at Guernsey Dairy were held back from distribution while further testing was carried out on multiple packs. This was to determine if the issue was restricted to a single pack sent that had been sent for testing in the UK, or to a full batch. This testing began on 10th November, and the decision to withdraw the full batch from sale was made on 11th November.
Retailers and distributors were notified at 7.30am on 11th November. All remaining packs form the affected batch were removed from shelves and collected by Dairy staff. Dairy staff also checked shelves in supermarkets to ensure all packs had been removed.
Q. What are the regulatory standards?
A. Only E. Coli is specified in EC Regulation 874/2005. No E. Coli bacteria have been detected in this batch, either in tests varied out in Guernsey Dairy's own laboratory or the external facility.
There is no regulatory standard for Entero., but this batch of butter was recalled as a precaution as it falls short of the Guernsey Dairy's in house standards.
Q. Other than E.Coli, has the batch been tested for other harmful bacteria?
The butter has been tested for contamination with E. Coli, Clostridium Perfringens, Staphylococcus Aureus, Bacillus Cereus, Listeria and Salmonella. None of these harmful bacteria were detected either in Guernsey Dairy's in-house tests or in the subsequent UK laboratory tests.
This detected bacteria do not breach food safety standards therefore any additional risk to health is considered to be exceedingly low. However Guernsey Dairy takes the quality of its products as the utmost importance, and therefore took the decision to recall and replace this particular batch as quickly as possible.
Q. What if I have eaten the butter?
This batch has not failed any regulatory standards and the risk to anyone who has consumed it is therefore considered to be extremely low. It was recalled as a precaution because it falls short of Guernsey Dairy's own standards.
Q. How rigorous is Guernsey Dairy's testing process?
Guernsey Dairy carries out quality control and shelf life testing on all products, to ensure they are safe at the start and end of their shelf life.
All Guernsey Dairy laboratory staff also regularly carry out proficiency tests, where blind samples are sent from an accredited UK body for testing. Results are submitted and scored to ensure they fall within the required parameters. Guernsey Dairy's laboratory staff and test methods have passed all the testing so far undertaken.
Q. Will cooking the butter kill any known bacteria in butter?
Yes, thorough cooking should kill any bacteria present. However as a precaution, Guernsey Dairy still advises that any butter from this batch is not used.
