Food alert for actionFSAUpdated
Products from Block and Cleaver of Swanley, Kent withdrawn over a food safety concern
The number of meat and meat products supplied by a cutting plant in Swanley, Kent to be removed from the market has been narrowed down The Food Standards Agency has alerted Environmental Health, Trading Standards Services and Official Veterinarians to take action to remove meat and meat products manufactured by Block and Cleaver from the market. The products affected have not been produced in accordance with GB food law requirements, and therefore may be unsafe. The affected products have been supplied to food businesses in London and South East England. The products should not be eaten because they may have incorrect use by dates, are subject to traceability breaches, may not have been manufactured in accordance with food safety management systems and may be unsafe. We have asked food businesses such as restaurants, cafes and hotels to withdraw from sale meat or meat products supplied by Block and Cleaver with use by dates of 21 and 22 June 2024, because they may be unsafe to eat. Food businesses have also been asked to dispose of the products safely. We have also asked food businesses who have sold meat or meat products directly to consumers at retail, to undertake product recalls and inform their Local Authority, who will then inform the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Update 2: This FAFA replaces FAFA Update 1. We have received further information, and we have been able to narrow down the number of products causing concern. We have found that several products do not pose food safety concerns so they are no longer affected by this FAFA. Unaffected products are: Products not processed or repackaged by Block and Cleaver (see Appendix 1), All products manufactured after production resumed on 20 June 2024 that have use by dates of 23 June 2024 onwards. Unaffected products are not in breach of GB food law requirements and therefore no product withdrawal or recalls are required.
Check your product
Only products that match these details are covered. Have your pack in front of you.
Beef meat and meat products
- Affected
- All dates up to and including 21 June 2024 except for products listed in Appendix 1
Pork meat and meat products
- Affected
- All dates up to and including 22 June 2024 except for products listed in Appendix 1
Chicken meat and meat products
- Affected
- All dates up to and including 22 June 2024 except for products listed in Appendix 1
What to do now
Products from Block and Cleaver of Swanley, Kent has been taken off sale because of a food safety concern.
- Check whether your product matches the details on this page.
- If it matches, stop using it.
- Return it to the shop where you bought it, where you should get your money back, or bin it.
- Check the freezer and cupboards for other packs with the same details, including anything you have decanted or portioned.
Why it matters. Businesses must withdraw or recall food that is not safe or is not what it says it is. The official notice explains the specific problem.
Symptoms and when to get help
Look out for
- feeling sick or being sick
- diarrhoea
- stomach cramps
- a high temperature
- feeling generally unwell, tired or achy
Get help urgently
- signs of dehydration, such as passing little or no pee, feeling dizzy or very thirsty
- blood in your poo or bleeding from the bottom
- symptoms that are not improving after a few days, or keep coming back
- a baby, a young child, someone pregnant, someone older or someone with a weakened immune system is unwell
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Getting your money back
Recalled food can be returned to the shop it came from for a full refund. Supermarkets and most independent shops do this without a receipt, because the recall applies to the product, not to your purchase.
If you bought it online or on a delivery, contact the retailer through your account or customer services and tell them the product is under an FSA recall.
From the official notice
Published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA-FAFA-02-2024). Quoted as issued.
Summary
The number of meat and meat products supplied by a cutting plant in Swanley, Kent to be removed from the market has been narrowed down
The Food Standards Agency has alerted Environmental Health, Trading Standards Services and Official Veterinarians to take action to remove meat and meat products manufactured by Block and Cleaver from the market. The products affected have not been produced in accordance with GB food law requirements, and therefore may be unsafe. The affected products have been supplied to food businesses in London and South East England.
The products should not be eaten because they may have incorrect use by dates, are subject to traceability breaches, may not have been manufactured in accordance with food safety management systems and may be unsafe.
We have asked food businesses such as restaurants, cafes and hotels to withdraw from sale meat or meat products supplied by Block and Cleaver with use by dates of 21 and 22 June 2024, because they may be unsafe to eat. Food businesses have also been asked to dispose of the products safely.
We have also asked food businesses who have sold meat or meat products directly to consumers at retail, to undertake product recalls and inform their Local Authority, who will then inform the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Update 2: This FAFA replaces FAFA Update 1.
We have received further information, and we have been able to narrow down the number of products causing concern.
We have found that several products do not pose food safety concerns so they are no longer affected by this FAFA.
Unaffected products are:
Products not processed or repackaged by Block and Cleaver (see Appendix 1),
All products manufactured after production resumed on 20 June 2024 that have use by dates of 23 June 2024 onwards.
Unaffected products are not in breach of GB food law requirements and therefore no product withdrawal or recalls are required.
The risk
Beef, pork and chicken meat and meat products were not prepared in line with food safety and hygiene legislative requirements, so they may be unsafe.
Actions being taken by enforcement authorities:
As these products may not have been prepared in accordance with food hygiene, safety and other legislative requirements, they do not comply with the requirements of GB food law. Local Authorities have been requested to remove products that may be unsafe from the market.
The products are known to have been supplied to food businesses across London and South East of England.
Open the FSA notice
Questions
Why has Products from Block and Cleaver of Swanley, Kent been recalled?
Products from Block and Cleaver of Swanley, Kent has been taken off sale because of a food safety concern. Businesses must withdraw or recall food that is not safe or is not what it says it is. The official notice explains the specific problem.
How do I know if my product is affected?
The notice describes the affected product rather than listing codes. Compare the product name, pack size and where you bought it with the official notice.
What should I do now?
Check whether your product matches the details on this page. If it matches, stop using it.
Can I get a refund?
Recalled food can be returned to the shop it came from for a full refund. Supermarkets and most independent shops do this without a receipt, because the recall applies to the product, not to your purchase. If you bought it online or on a delivery, contact the retailer through your account or customer services and tell them the product is under an FSA recall.
