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E.coli butcher defends practices E.coli butcher defends practices
(about 2 hours later)
The butcher at the centre of the E.coli outbreak in south Wales said he followed official hazard analysis guidelines, an inquiry has heard.The butcher at the centre of the E.coli outbreak in south Wales said he followed official hazard analysis guidelines, an inquiry has heard.
In a letter read out at the Cardiff inquiry, William Tudor said the practices used by his firm were supervised by Bridgend Council.In a letter read out at the Cardiff inquiry, William Tudor said the practices used by his firm were supervised by Bridgend Council.
During the outbreak in 2005, a boy died and more than 150 others fell ill.During the outbreak in 2005, a boy died and more than 150 others fell ill.
The inquiry also heard how the firm was noted as having a "haphazard approach" to storage in their walk-in freezer.The inquiry also heard how the firm was noted as having a "haphazard approach" to storage in their walk-in freezer.
John Tudor & Son supplied cooked meat to schools including Deri Primary School near Bargoed, which five-year-old Mason Jones attended before he died on 4 October, 2005.John Tudor & Son supplied cooked meat to schools including Deri Primary School near Bargoed, which five-year-old Mason Jones attended before he died on 4 October, 2005.
In September last year, Tudor was given a 12-month prison sentence after admitting six counts of placing unsafe food on the market and one of failing to protect food against the risk of contamination.In September last year, Tudor was given a 12-month prison sentence after admitting six counts of placing unsafe food on the market and one of failing to protect food against the risk of contamination.
But he was released early from that sentence. But he was released early from that sentence, serving three months.
Mason Jones, five, died after eating contaminated cooked meatMason Jones, five, died after eating contaminated cooked meat
In a letter from his solicitors read out at the inquiry chaired by Professor Hugh Pennington, William Tudor stated his company's practices were supervised by Bridgend Council's environment team and he considered them appropriate.In a letter from his solicitors read out at the inquiry chaired by Professor Hugh Pennington, William Tudor stated his company's practices were supervised by Bridgend Council's environment team and he considered them appropriate.
However the letter added he "bitterly" regretted the incident and felt he had nothing further to add to the inquiry.However the letter added he "bitterly" regretted the incident and felt he had nothing further to add to the inquiry.
The inquiry also heard from Ian Sullivan, currently an environmental health officer at Cardiff Council.The inquiry also heard from Ian Sullivan, currently an environmental health officer at Cardiff Council.
In 1998, he worked for Bridgend Council and was responsible for introducing hazard analysis at local butchery premises.In 1998, he worked for Bridgend Council and was responsible for introducing hazard analysis at local butchery premises.
Mr Sullivan said he developed a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan with William Tudor.Mr Sullivan said he developed a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan with William Tudor.
Mr Sullivan said he played no role in deciding on the standards in the plan.Mr Sullivan said he played no role in deciding on the standards in the plan.
"It was not my role to assess the validity of how he chose to approach writing his own HACCP plan."It was not my role to assess the validity of how he chose to approach writing his own HACCP plan.
"I'd advise him on what needed to be done. He was the expert in how his business operated."I'd advise him on what needed to be done. He was the expert in how his business operated.
Witnesses reported staff walking around in bloody wellingtonsWitnesses reported staff walking around in bloody wellingtons
"If he was satisfied with hazards and controls addressed via the HACCP plan then that would be deemed as satisfactory," Mr Sullivan added."If he was satisfied with hazards and controls addressed via the HACCP plan then that would be deemed as satisfactory," Mr Sullivan added.
Mr Sullivan referred to a visit he paid to the premises in March 1999. He said he noted in his report that there was a 'haphazard approach' to storage in the walk-in freezer.Mr Sullivan referred to a visit he paid to the premises in March 1999. He said he noted in his report that there was a 'haphazard approach' to storage in the walk-in freezer.
Subsequent letters noted the problem had not been rectified and that there was meat left uncovered and on the floor.Subsequent letters noted the problem had not been rectified and that there was meat left uncovered and on the floor.
Also during the inquiry Mr Sullivan referred to the letter he wrote in October 2000, where he complained of dirty ice on the freezer floor.Also during the inquiry Mr Sullivan referred to the letter he wrote in October 2000, where he complained of dirty ice on the freezer floor.
He said he served the firm with a number of improvement notices and a recommendation to implement a freezer storage plan, but said it was not acted upon.He said he served the firm with a number of improvement notices and a recommendation to implement a freezer storage plan, but said it was not acted upon.
Prof Pennington also referred to the lack of cleaning schedules at the premises.Prof Pennington also referred to the lack of cleaning schedules at the premises.
There were 157 probable cases of the E.coli O157 strain and 118 confirmed during the outbreak, which was declared on 16 September 2005 and declared over on 20 December that year.There were 157 probable cases of the E.coli O157 strain and 118 confirmed during the outbreak, which was declared on 16 September 2005 and declared over on 20 December that year.
It affected 44 schools across south Wales, making it the largest outbreak of its kind in Wales, and the second biggest in the UK.It affected 44 schools across south Wales, making it the largest outbreak of its kind in Wales, and the second biggest in the UK.