Coronavirus UK: Major outbreak hits meat factory in Wales

Major coronavirus outbreak hits British meat factory supplying chicken for KFC and Tesco as more than 100 workers self-isolate

  • One quarter of workers at the 2 Sisters meat factory are now self isolating 
  • The factory in Anglesey, North Wales, produces meat for takeaways and shops
  • KFC, Tesco and Aldi all receive produce from the factory in  Llangefni, Anglesey
  • Officials confirmed they are dealing with a Covid-19 outbreak at the factory  
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

A ‘major’ coronavirus outbreak has hit more than 100 workers at a British meat factory supplying chicken to KFC and Tesco.

Around a quarter of the 560 workers at the 2 Sisters site in Anglesey, North Wales, are self isolating after a series of confirmed cases.

One staff member at the plant – which processes chicken for chains including Tesco, KFC and Aldi – is being treated in hospital and 12 others have tested positive.

Around one quarter of all workers at the 2 Sisters meat plant in Llangefni, Anglesey have been forced into self isolation following a major coronavirus outbreak at the plant

The 2 Sisters Food Group supplies around one-third of all poultry products consumed each day in the UK, with 560 staff at its North Wales plant. The group has more than 7,000 employees across the country

The 2 Sisters Food Group supplies around one-third of all poultry products consumed each day in the UK, with 560 staff at its North Wales plant. The group has more than 7,000 employees across the country

The 2 Sisters food group supplies chicken to retailers such as KFC, file photograph

The 2 Sisters food group supplies chicken to retailers such as KFC, file photograph

Paddy McNaught, regional officer for Unite, described it as a ‘major’ outbreak at the plant.

He added: ‘The company are taking this seriously.

‘Our stewards are working with the company on site to put protective measures in place.

‘But there’s no doubt that people are very frightened. They’re concerned about bringing the virus home to vulnerable members of their families, and they’re concerned about creating a spike in cases on the island.’

The 2 Sisters Food Group is one of the largest food producers in the UK, with sites across the country and brands including Fox’s Biscuits and Holland’s Pies.

It also produces about a third of all the poultry products consumed each day in the UK and has more than 7,000 workers in it’s specialist factories.

In a statement the company said it was ‘working to provide the safest possible working environment’ at the site in Llangefni.

It added: ‘As a company policy we will confirm cases, but will not provide running commentaries nor disclose employee data.’

A spokesman for Anglesey council said: ‘The North Wales Regional Test, Trace, Protect team is responding to the cluster of coronavirus cases at the Two Sisters plant in Llangefni as a priority, and supporting the workplace.

‘Key agencies including Public Health Wales, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Health and Safety Executive and both Anglesey and Gwynedd Councils are working together to support and advise the employer and those employees who have tested positive, together with their contacts.’

Tesco and Lidl are among the supermarkets who receive chicken supplies from 2 Sisters

Tesco and Lidl are among the supermarkets who receive chicken supplies from 2 Sisters 

The company is owned by tycoon Ranjit Singh Boparan, who is known as the ‘chicken king’. 

One of his firms was fined £8,000 in 2015 after one of his Halal plants mistreated chickens heading for slaughter, including boiling more than 60 chickens alive as a result of a defective machine. 

 

 

Ranjit Singh Boparan, a multimillionaire businessman known as the ‘chicken king’, was fined £8,000 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk