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

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