Polish plant 'adding rotten meat'

Inspectors have halted meat processing at a plant in northern Poland after a television programme claimed it was adding rotten meat to its products.

TVN24 showed footage of green sausages at the plant, while an anonymous worker was heard saying they would be added to new products.

Another man said tons of old meat were used each month to economise.

Deputy chief veterinarian Krzysztof Jazdzewski said that inspectors immediately went to the plant and closed its meat processing section.

The plant exports to European Union markets.

Mr Jazdzewski could not immediately confirm TVN24’s allegations but said the programme showed procedures that violate the law.

One man in the programme said tons of old meat were added to new products instead of being destroyed.

A thorough inspection has been started at the plant, called Viola, according to Mr Jazdzewski.

TVN24 later said that the management of the plant denied that stale meat was added to its products.

“There are no grounds for the allegations,” TVN24 quoted from a letter signed by Krzysztof Miecinski, identified as the president of the board of managers.

The programme showed old meat stored together with fresh meat, which can lead to bacterial contamination of the fresh meat and the entire storage area. Another problem mentioned was that processed meat was frozen and then defrosted.

Mr Jazdzewski said there had been no signs previously of irregularities at the plant and a separate investigation has been opened to explain that.