UK meat firm Russell Hume will be allowed to resume production and distribution of products to customers by the Food Standards agency – but only at one of its sites.

The enforcement action preventing Russell Hume from processing and distributing meat products has been lifted at its Liverpool site after assurances that its food safety management system met the legal requirements were satisfied.

The other sites cannot restart production until the same assurances are met.

Production and distribution was halted at all Russell Hume sites over two weeks ago until the business could provide assurances they were complying with relevant legislation.

A statement issued by the Foods Standards Agency on Monday read: “During this time, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have worked intensively with the business to address concerns raised by our investigation.

“As a result, we are assured that food being produced at the site is compliant. FSA staff will remain present during operations.”

Ongoing investigation

It added that the lifting of the statutory notice would have no impact on the ongoing FSA and FSS investigation, which is continuing, and staff from both organisations remain present at sites in England and Scotland.

“This decision has been taken on the basis that we are now assured that the food being produced at the Liverpool site complies with the relevant legislation,” the FSA said.

“The action taken has been proportionate and we recognise the potential impact on the business and peoples’ livelihoods.

“The FSA and FSS will continue to work with the business to assess the status of the measures which remain in place at the other sites preventing production and distribution.”

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