Jersey Dairy has shared more details behind its precautionary decision to recall batches of milk and butter.
Specific batches of 2.5% Fat Reduced Milk one litre (green pack) with a use-by date of 23 March and 250g Unsalted Butter (best before 8 June) were recalled on Thursday afternoon following concerns about contamination.
In a statement issued on Saturday afternoon, Jersey Dairy said the issue was linked to an error made on one farm in respect of cleaning of the system in the milking parlour, with an oil residue getting into the system and contaminating milk collected on the next occasion.
Eamon Fenlon, Managing Director, said the level of contamination had been extremely low.
“Calculations estimate it to be below one part per million, which is below standard testing detection thresholds,” he said. “As a result, these trace levels would not normally be identified through routine testing and quality control processes.
“Jersey Dairy maintains stringent, high-level testing protocols and procedures to ensure the safety and quality of all our products and consumer safety has always been our top priority.
“While this incident demonstrates that extremely low-level traces below detection limits can occur, it also shows that robust procedures are in place to respond quickly and responsibly when issues are identified.”
Jersey Dairy said that most of the affected products had been recovered, with disposal underway.
The company also stressed that its other products were unaffected and that there had been no reports of illness, with the risk to public health considered to be low.
Mr Fenlon said: “Jersey Dairy would like to thank customers, retailers, and regulatory authorities for their cooperation and understanding while this matter has been addressed.”
An Environmental Health investigation is underway, and Mr Fenlon said there would be no further comment until the investigation was complete.
