|
Chinese media reports that started circulating
on Friday said workers at a Beijing outlet for Subway, which
operates globally as a franchise business, changed expiry and
production dates on meat, drink and vegetable produce to extend
their use.
"Our headquarters here is now investigating the matter," a
Subway spokeswoman said. She said the firm had not reached any
conclusions. "We want to investigate what caused the labeling
issue and whether or not it was the action of a single
franchised outlet."
The issue highlights the difficulty firms have to control food
quality and safety in supply chains and outlets in China, which
can cause serious headaches with regulators and hit sales.
Earlier this year, a China-based food supplier to McDonald's
Corp and Yum Brands Inc was caught up in a scandal over workers
allegedly tampering with expiry dates, which pummeled China
sales at the fast-food chains.
The Subway spokeswoman said the firm sent teams to inspect its
franchises around the country each month and that it gave staff
training on food safety and handling produce.
The Beijing food regulator had also launched an investigation,
she added.
Food safety scandals in China are all too common, including
recycled "gutter oil" for cooking, donkey meat products tainted
with fox and one in 2008 involving tainted dairy products that
led to the deaths of at least six infants.
Subway, part of Doctor's Associate Inc, has close to 500 outlets
in China, according to its official website.
(Reporting by Adam Jourdan and SHANGHAI newsroom; Editing by
Nick Macfie)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
