What is your response to the ongoing investigation into the Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) outbreak in France and a potential link with Buitoni Fraîch’Up pizza
We reiterate our deepest sympathy and compassion to the families of the victims and individuals impacted by the Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) outbreak in France.
When the French health authorities informed the Buitoni team of a potential link between Fraîch’Up pizzas and the HUS outbreak, we immediately conducted a voluntary recall of all Fraîch’Up pizzas, suspended production, and rolled out an extensive information campaign aimed at consumers and our customers.
Our local teams have been fully transparent and collaborative with the authorities as part of the ongoing investigations, and have been working hard to understand the origin of the contamination of Fraîch’Up pizza.
Our own detailed investigation to date, validated by the French authorities, comprised nearly 2,000 samples and analyses of the factory environment, raw materials and finished products.
At this stage, our investigation and analyses indicate that the source of contamination is the flour used on the specific manufacturing line dedicated exclusively to producing Fraîch’Up pizza.
We are strengthening our testing and monitoring of ingredients, in particular for E. coli STEC, to ensure that something like this never happens again.
Safety and quality remain our highest priority.
