Staffordshire Food Supplier Goes Into Liquidation

28 June 2019, 17:17 | Updated: 28 June 2019, 17:20

A food supplier in Staffordshire has gone into liquidation, causing 125 job losses, after production was suspended for weeks due to a listeria outbreak investigation.

The Food Standards Agency had confirmed on Wednesday that the Good Food Chain was not the source of the outbreak.

But the Staffordshire-based firm said on Friday that it was to cease trading as the production had been voluntarily suspended since June 5, proving to have a huge impact on the company.

The investigation came after five people were suspected to have died after eating pre-packaged sandwiches and salads produced by the company.

Good Food Chain products, provided to hospitals across the UK, had been withdrawn while the source of the infection was investigated.

Good Food Chain owner and founder Martyn Corfield said: "I was absolutely devastated to hear that people had died after contracting listeriosis and have been thinking constantly about all those affected and their families over the last few weeks.

"We have been co-operating very closely with the investigating authorities, and while Wednesday's confirmation that the Good Food Chain was not the source of the outbreak was welcome, it ultimately came too late in the day for us to get the business back on to a sustainable footing.

"I feel desperately sorry for our brilliant and hardworking staff who, through no fault of their own, now find themselves out of work. I would like to thank them for everything they have done for the Good Food Chain, and particularly for their loyalty and patience over the last few weeks."

Listeria infection is rare, causing mild illness like the flu, and can be dangerous for pregnant women and babies.

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