Meat World launches investigation

Meat World, a butchery franchise with branches across Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga, has launched an investigation into 14 of its stores following allegations relating to poor hygiene standards at some of its stores.

The chain, which has two stores in Pretoria, reacted to an insert on current affairs programme Carte Blanche on Sunday, claiming that Meat World was maintaining poor hygiene and was re-labelling meat products to extend the sell-by date.

The insert was aired after an urgent High Court application by Meat World to prevent Carte Blanche from airing the insert was struck off the roll for lack of urgency.

Angelino Pereira, Meat World chief executive officer, issued a statement on Tuesday, expressing deep concern about the allegations.

According to Pereira, a meat product recall was issued in nine of its stores and the brand was considering defranchising some of its stores “if the allegations are serious enough”.

ALSO READ: Metro cop arrested

An independent health and safety organisation had been appointed to conduct full health and safety audits on each of the stores.

“I took this immediate decision when I was made aware of these allegations,” Pareira said.

Meat World had appointed leading forensic investigator David Klatzow to analyse the lab report provided by Carte Blanche.

Klatzow, in a sworn affidavit submitted as part of the urgent application, questioned the accuracy of the findings by the laboratory.

He also states “the overall bacteriological results do not demonstrate a systemic problem”.

“My team and I are deeply perturbed by these allegations. We will do everything we can to rectify any irregularities. Our customers are our family and we take their complaints to heart,” Pereira said.