Equipment

Allied Bakeries is cranking up security and co-operating with police over possible “malicious” bread contamination with glass and a needle after a second spate of problems.

More CCTV screens and cameras have gone into the plant in Orpington, Kent, after a needle was found in one loaf and glass turned up in two other packs last month.

This is the second episode of contamination of bread at the 300-staff Orpington facility. Since the first incident 18 months ago there have been 11 complaints, said the firm, which gave no details on its inspection regime.

“We are working closely with the Food Standards Agency and police on their investigation into alleged product contamination at the Orpington bakery,” said a company spokesman.

“Tamper-evident adhesive bread ties have been introduced on to the bread packs. However, the police investigation is still ongoing and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage,” he added.

A “dramatic” increase in CCTV cameras has been backed up with staff fingerprint and DNA tests carried out by Scotland Yard. A police spokesman said all staff agreed to the tests and no arrests were made.

“We are looking at the potential for malicious contamination and the investigation will continue until we have found the piece of evidence to determine who or what has done this.”