Beans canned before buyers turn green

Food retailers yesterday confirmed that potentially toxic tins of green beans were off their shelves, following a recall on the product by food giant Tiger Brands.

The company said in a statement released yesterday that certain batches of the 2007 imported 215g and 410g tins of Koo French Style Green Beans were found to have defective seams.

The defective seams make the cans accessible to micro-organisms, which could contaminate the product.

The company said if the beans were eaten, the effect could vary from nothing to a stomach upset to food poisoning — depending on which, if any, organism entered the can.

Tiger Brands said no consumer complaints had been received but that it had recalled the product as a “precautionary measure”.

Pick n Pay's Tamra Veley said the product had been withdrawn from shelves as soon as the company was notified last week.

Spar's group marketing director, Mike Prentice, said all the tins had been removed from the retailer's shelves and that Tiger Brands had “communicated thoroughly” with Spar.

Managing executive for Koo, Zin Mabaso, said in a statement, “Consumers are invited to call our customer care line on 0860-673-673 and all defective stock will be uplifted and compensation provided.

“Trade customers will be either reimbursed or provided with an alternative, acceptable product.”

Jimmy Manyi, Tiger Brands' executive for corporate affairs, said the defect was found during one of their quality control spot checks. The recall was issued on Friday and, before the day had ended, more than 100000 tins had been returned, Manyi said.

Source: The Times

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