Day 103 - 14 Mar 95 - Page 34
1 I think, or not sent out as a result of that?
2 A. Yes, maybe there was some problem, I do not know.
3
4 Q. The next page, what is this, do you know?
5 A. The Biotrace is a new machine we have which will check
6 the hygiene standard of the line after it has been cleaned.
7
8 Q. Like swabs and things?
9 A. Yes, but it gives you a very quick answer within a
10 couple of minutes, so that if a piece of equipment has not
11 been cleaned to the right standard it can be cleaned again.
12
13 MR. JUSTICE BELL: When did Orleon start?
14 A. It started in November 1993.
15
16 Q. The fire was September 1993, I think?
17 A. Yes, it took about eight weeks to get it up and running
18 after that.
19
20 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Bear in mind that because there was a fire,
21 and it is being done at Orleon now, all these procedures,
22 nearly three-and-a-half years after the date when you are
23 last accused of having part in publication of the leaflet
24 for the purposes of the defamation, the original action
25 anyway.
26
27 MR. MORRIS: Have standards improved -- you say this is a new
28 machine -- have standards generally improved? Are
29 standards improving each year?
30 A. I think we it would be fair to say that we are always
31 trying to make improvements. There always have been
32 certain basic standards which we have had to work to, but
33 we have made improvements as time has gone on. The use of
34 this machine is one example of that. It is technology that
35 was not available three or four years ago.
36
37 Q. I will just ask you one question about cleaning: Are
38 machines disassembled to be cleaned?
39 A. Yes. We have what we would call "line hygiene" where
40 at a break the obvious food contact points are cleaned, the
41 belts, the basic line where the food runs along, and then
42 about every 30 hours the whole line is completely
43 dismantled, including the forming machines and so on, and
44 cleaned then.
45
46 Q. Why is that important to do?
47 A. Well, the forming machines potentially can build up
48 contamination inside them, and the only way to clean them
49 is to strip them down completely.
50
51 Q. Are there any independent inspectors at the Orleon plant?
52 A. Yes, they have veterinary supervision there which is
53 done by periodic visits. There is not a government vet
54 based there all the time, but he makes inspections from
55 time to time.
56
57 Q. Just one person who is independent?
58 A. Yes, it is a ministry, it is a government department,
59 and they could be inspected by two or three different
60 people in that department who will make unannounced
