The FSA is making local authorities aware that various dried fish products have been packaged in an unapproved establishment, trading as Africa Choice. If you have bought one of the listed products, displaying the approval number UK OL026 EC and/or bearing the labelling information 'Packed by Africa Choice', do not eat it.
There is known distribution to some specialist retail establishments in London and Manchester. However, it has not been possible to obtain information on the origin of the packaged products or the full distribution details. Some of the implicated products have been found on sale at a number of food premises in the London area and may have been distributed by Afro Food Centre Ltd. The FSA has issued a Food Alert for Action.
Product details
All dates and batch codes of the products listed below displaying the approval number UK OL026 EC and/or bearing the labelling information 'Packed by Africa Choice' are affected:
Ground Crayfish Ground Prawns Ground Shawa Fillets Haddock Fillets Smoked Shawa Fillets Stockfish Stockfish Backbone Stockfish Cod Backbone Stockfish Cod Trimmings Stockfish Cutlets Whole Crayfish Whole Prawns Stockfish Tusk Smoked Catfish Fillets Smoked Herring Fillets Smoked Bonga Fillets Smoked Ground Crayfish Smoked Ground Shawa Fillet Stockfish Fillet Steak Smoked Stockfish Fillets Smoked Stockfish Trimmings Smoked Prawns Dried Whole Prawns Stockfish Cod Smoked Haddock Fillets
Action to be taken by local authorities
The above products were repackaged in an unapproved establishment. This means they do not comply with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, which lays down the specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.
Local authorities in the known areas are requested to make contact with the relevant retailers in their area who may sell the implicated products. If implicated products are found during the course of their investigations, enforcement officers should ensure that the products are withdrawn from sale and destroyed, if necessary using powers available to them under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006 and the Food Safety Act 1990. In addition, the local authorities are requested to investigate the traceability of these products and provide any information or copies of the documents to the FSA.
Other local authorities are requested to check during the course of routine visits to establishments in their area for the supply of the above products. If implicated products are found during the course of their visits, enforcement officers should ensure that the products are withdrawn from sale and destroyed, if necessary using powers available to them under the Food Safety Act 1990.