CARTON BROS, the company that produces Manor Farm chicken, has said testing has uncovered the possible use of unauthorised antibiotics on two farms in its supply chain.
It said in a statement that, “where there was any doubt over the suitability of the birds for the food chain, the birds were removed and disposed of”.
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The firm added that it worked with more than 180 farms, and the incident was to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
A spokesperson said: “All processing by Carton Bros is carried out to the highest quality standards and always under the supervision of the DAFM.
Routine testing
“In line with these standards, the business carries out routine testing of both live animals and final products.
“In a recent set of tests of live birds, the possible use of unauthorised antibiotics was raised in connection with two farms (the business works with over 180 farms).
“Based on these results, DAFM was notified immediately, and further testing was carried out.
“Subsequently, and out of an abundance of caution, all birds from these two farms were processed and where there was any doubt over the suitability of the birds for the food chain, the birds were removed and disposed of, under the supervision of DAFM.
“As a result, any potential threat to food safety has been avoided by these proactive and precautionary measures.”
