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Paragon Foods denies halal burgers contained pork | Paragon Foods denies halal burgers contained pork |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A company accused of supplying halal food containing pork to schools in Leicester has said it is "completely innocent". | A company accused of supplying halal food containing pork to schools in Leicester has said it is "completely innocent". |
In April, Leicester City Council said a lamb burger from Paragon Quality Foods contained between 10% and 50% pork. | |
But the Doncaster-based firm said the sample tested by the council did not come directly from the factory. | |
A council spokesman said it would not comment further until the results of a second set of tests were completed. | A council spokesman said it would not comment further until the results of a second set of tests were completed. |
The company said it was now considering legal action against the city council. | The company said it was now considering legal action against the city council. |
The original discovery was made on 18 April and the product was withdrawn. | The original discovery was made on 18 April and the product was withdrawn. |
A DNA test found the lamb burger contained between 10% and 50% pork. | A DNA test found the lamb burger contained between 10% and 50% pork. |
Paragon spokesman Metin Pekin said: "These allegations have upset us beyond belief. I am from a Muslim family and we have never ever entertained pork on site. | Paragon spokesman Metin Pekin said: "These allegations have upset us beyond belief. I am from a Muslim family and we have never ever entertained pork on site. |
"It is paramount that we get our reputation restored. | "It is paramount that we get our reputation restored. |
"This initial sample was a customer test... and we did not have a retainer sample and we could not test it anywhere else." | "This initial sample was a customer test... and we did not have a retainer sample and we could not test it anywhere else." |
Leicester City Council said in an earlier statement: "Because it was only one burger that was tested and the findings were so wide-ranging, we have ordered further samples of more burgers and when we have these results we will publish them." | Leicester City Council said in an earlier statement: "Because it was only one burger that was tested and the findings were so wide-ranging, we have ordered further samples of more burgers and when we have these results we will publish them." |
The authority said it "hopes to be able to make a fuller statement next week". | The authority said it "hopes to be able to make a fuller statement next week". |
Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO), which is responsible for testing the samples, said: "Paragon Quality Foods have challenged the test results and, on behalf of Leicester City Council, we are in the process of seeking verification and a second opinion of the test results." | |
The lamb burgers were served at 19 schools around Leicester but were withdrawn after the discovery was made. | The lamb burgers were served at 19 schools around Leicester but were withdrawn after the discovery was made. |
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