The Media Statement
MEDIA STATEMENT REGARDING “REWORKING” OF CHICKEN PRODUCT
Negative publicity has been stimulated over the claimed illegal “reworking” of chicken
product by Country Bird Holdings’ (CBH) subsidiary Supreme Poultry (Supreme).
This has been the malicious work of a disgruntled former employee Mr Johan Wilhelm
Matthee, whose services were recently terminated by Supreme on the grounds of sexual
harassment.
The company views these aspersions in the most serious light and appropriate legal action is being taken against the employee, not only for making false claims but also for causing deliberate damage to the CBH group company names and brands.
Supreme confirms that no reworked product has ever been supplied into the food service or retail sectors, which include Pick ‘n Pay and Shoprite Checkers under their own brand names, as well as the Supreme brand.
Supreme’s abattoirs are all HACCP accredited by the SANS authority. They are audited by the company’s customers and production is in accordance with the South African Poultry Association's protocols and procedures. Supreme abattoirs have received awards and acclaim in recent years, including two of its abattoirs coming first and second for three consecutive years in hygiene monitoring tests done by provincial authorities.
Re-working of chicken
Re-working at Supreme Poultry occurs on a limited scale, and is conducted in accordance with the protocols as dictated by the Department of Agriculture. The product may be used for specified purposes after re-working, including human consumption, animal consumption and rendering. Reworking is only conducted as follows:
· Strict quality controls including a bacterial inspection are conducted on the receipt of
the product at Supreme’s abattoirs. The product is received in a controlled
environment and isolated. The product is then re-processed through the frozen
production cycle and repacked exclusively into a plain or Supa Value bag, and date
coded for traceability.
· Any product found not to be of standard and fit for human consumption is
immediately discarded to rendering for the production of carcass meal.
The CBH group, including Supreme, subscribes to a continuous improvement programme
and a channel for grievances and complaints. The Group has an independent hotline with
the audit firm KPMG, where both employees and consumers can report any malpractice or concern that in turn will be reported directly to the CBH Board of directors, bypassing
operational management. There have been no complaints received from anyone regarding production practices using this channel.
Ends/
About Country Bird Holdings Limited (CBH)
CBH, which listed on the JSE in May 2007, is a holding company incorporating integrated poultry, stock feed and beef businesses in South Africa, operating as Supreme Poultry, Nutri Feeds and Long Iron Meats, as well as poultry breeding and broiler operations in the southern African region, operating as Ross Africa and Master
Farmer. CBH is currently active in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.
ISSUED
FOR:
Supreme Poultry (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Country Bird Holdings Limited
Tel: 051 448 6803
CONTACTS:
Izaak Breitenbach, Managing Director: 082 886 8150
John Neilson, Marketing Director: 082 826 9114
FAX: 086 683 9012
E-MAIL:
[email protected];
[email protected]
WEBSITE:
www.supremepoultry.co.za
ISSUED BY: Tish Stewart Corporate and Investor Communications
CONTACT: Tish Stewart: 011 442 5536 / 082 443 6399
FAX NO: 011 447 9317
E-MAIL:
[email protected]
DATE: 21 December 2010