Possible feed contamination incident

FSA said that a potential feed contamination incident occurred involving the
presence of material of animal origin in wheat feed intended for ruminant
rations.

The potential contamination was detected following routine
sampling undertaken as part of the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs (Defra) National Feed Audit, which gave positive results for the
presence of muscle fibre, terrestrial animal bone and fish bone in stocks of
wheat feed from Sweden in stores at Tilbury Docks (London).

Wheat has
been distributed
It would appear that, following the date the samples
were taken but before the results were available, the wheat feed was distributed
to a number of merchants and feed mills throughout England.

Because this
contamination incident concerns possible breaches of TSE and animal by-products
legislation for which Defra is responsible, the investigation is being
undertaken by Defra’s Animal Health (formerly the State Veterinary
Service).

Defra will therefore be responsible for following up the
distribution of the wheat feed, including further sampling and risk assessment,
and for determining whether a recall of any feed or food products may be
necessary.

The Food Standards Agency is being kept informed of
developments, and will provide further information as and when it becomes
available.’

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