Manchester United have been awarded a star for food hygiene after serving their guests raw chicken which was “unfit for human consumption”.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils were found guilty of serving raw chicken legs to 30 people during the ‘SHE’ event on November 21, 2023, at Old Trafford, during the North West Safety Health Environment Show. Inspectors dealt with the incident with an iron fist, causing the football club’s food hygiene rating to drop from five to one.
Although around 300 pieces of chicken were prepared for the event, only three trays, each containing around 15 pieces, were properly checked. As a result, 17 trays containing approximately 255 pieces of chicken were not inspected and the temperature was not up to standard before being served. Eight participants initially reported the problem to staff, but their complaints went unheeded. Subsequently, 30 people from the “VIP” and “non-VIP” areas also reported the same problem.
Following these complaints, food hygiene inspectors visited the club three days later, and the Food Standards Agency later announced the need for “major improvement” at the club. The report titled “Intervention in Food Hygiene and/or Food Standards” states the following: “People who consume these foods are at risk of consuming campylobacteria and/or salmonella because the food has not undergone a complete cooking process and is therefore unfit for human consumption. You must ensure that the food is thoroughly cooked before it is served to customers.”
Despite these concerns, the cleanliness and condition of the facilities and building were rated “good” by authorities. However, United played down the complaints, saying it was an “isolated incident” and assured the negligence had been corrected. A club spokesperson said: “Manchester United has one of the largest and most experienced catering services in world sport, with over 250,000 people dining in stadium restaurants and over 300 external events successfully hosted each year. »
“Every match day, the catering is enjoyed by over 8,000 people, served by 28 kitchens across the stadium, and the club is proud of the high standards and 5-star food hygiene rating we have been awarded over the past eight years. This is an isolated incident, and the point of failure has been identified and addressed. Everyone at the club is determined to regain its status as a 5-star establishment as quickly as possible in terms of food hygiene. To achieve this goal, we are currently carrying out an independent food audit to identify further opportunities for improvement. »
