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The Good Food Chain: Firm in listeria probe goes into liquidation The Good Food Chain: Firm in listeria probe goes into liquidation
(about 3 hours later)
A food supplier linked to a listeria outbreak has gone into liquidation, days after being told it could restart production. A food supplier linked to a fatal listeria outbreak has gone into liquidation, days after being told it could restart production.
All 125 employees at The Good Food Chain based in Stone, Staffordshire, will lose their jobs, the firm said. The Good Food Chain, based in Stone, Staffordshire, said all 125 employees would lose their jobs.
The Food Standards Agency confirmed on Wednesday the company was no longer part of its probe into the outbreak. The firm said the impact of suspending production during an inquiry was "too great" for it "to remain viable".
The impact of suspending production during the inquiry was "too great for the business to remain viable" it said. It voluntarily ceased manufacturing on 5 June following the deaths of five hospital patients.
"Ultimately [Wednesday's news] came too late in the day for us to get the business back on to a sustainable footing," business owner Martyn Corfield said. They had eaten contaminated pre-packed sandwiches produced by the company.
The company had voluntarily ceased manufacturing on 5 June as part of the investigation following the deaths of five hospital patients after eating contaminated pre-packed sandwiches and salads. It emerged on Wednesday that The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said production could be restarted.
The FSA said the firm was "no longer part of the investigation into the source of the outbreak". The FSA said the firm was no longer part of its inquiry into the source of the listeria outbreak, but as it had produced and supplied products linked to the case, it remained part of the wider investigation.
Mr Corfield, who founded the company in 1996, said he was "devastated" by the news of the listeria outbreak and now felt "desperately sorry" for the company's "hardworking staff who, through no fault of their own, now find themselves out of work". Business owner Martyn Corfield said: "Ultimately [Wednesday's news] came too late in the day for us to get the business back on to a sustainable footing."
"I would like to thank them for everything they have done for the Good Food Chain, and particularly for their loyalty and patience over the last few weeks," he said. Mr Corfield, who founded the company in 1996, said he was "devastated" by the outbreak and felt "desperately sorry" for the company's "hardworking staff who, through no fault of their own, now find themselves out of work".
As well as the 125 employees, a total of 40 agency staff were "let go" by the firm at the start of June when production was suspended. He said: "I would like to thank them for everything they have done for the Good Food Chain, and particularly for their loyalty and patience over the last few weeks."
The liquidation will be handled by practitioners, Currie Young. In addition to the 125 employees, the firm also used agency staff. A total of 40 were let go when production was suspended.
The liquidation will be handled by Currie Young.
Eight hospitals in seven NHS Trusts have reported cases of listeria linked to pre-packed sandwiches and salads eaten by patients.Eight hospitals in seven NHS Trusts have reported cases of listeria linked to pre-packed sandwiches and salads eaten by patients.
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