Dubai, 06 July 2010: Food manufacturer Kimball has sent its own quality control officers to investigate the case of a lizard found in one can of their baked beans.
"The fact Kimball has sent a team of quality control officers to Dubai to investigate this matter shows just how committed it is to improving the standards, if it is possible to improve them," Wickus Saunders, COO of Choithrams, told Gulf News.
He added that Choithrams’ role is to facilitate between Kimball and Dubai Municipality officials.
Examination
Malaysian-based Kimball has released the following statement through its regional supplier Choithrams:
"Kimball is committed to public safety and has a series of rigorous, audited measures in place to minimise the risk of product contamination at each step of its manufacturing process.
"Kimball baked beans are manufactured in a facility that is HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) and ISO 9001:2000 accredited.
"Following the report of a piece of foreign material found in one can of Kimball baked beans, the company has:
"Met with Dubai Municipality to reassure them of our world-class manufacturing processes and our commitment to public safety.
"Requested an examination of the foreign material to facilitate the completion of a full and thorough investigation.
"Through our distributor initiated a process to remove any remaining cans of Kimball baked beans with the same batch code from retail shelves.
"Announces that if one comes across this batch (P 13/1/2010 E 13/7/2011), please contact 04-3474574.
"The company apologises for any distress this experience may have caused and confirms no other complaints of a similar nature have been received."
Recall
"Kimball has not had a chance to examine the foreign material; the municipality is still conducting tests on it in its own labs.
Obtaining the material is critical for the forensic investigation to find out where in the production stage the contamination happened," said Saunders.
"We have recalled all Kimball baked beans with the same batch code from shelves throughout the GCC.
"Consumers who happen to have an item from this batch can contact us through the number provided, Choithrams will gladly reimburse or replace the item as per the customer’s request."