Power cut forces Tesco to clear shelves of refrigerated food

THREE refrigerated aisles of meat and poultry food had to be disposed of by Tesco staff after a power cut hit the Stratford-upon-Avon Maybird store today, Tuesday.

Power was down for one hour from 1230 onwards and Tescos - using its own 'chill chain' guidance procedures - said it could not donate the food to charities like Stratford Foodbank because of the risk to public health and safety.

A Tesco spokesperson told the Herald:"We have to make sure the food is safe for human consumption but unlike packaged or tinned food, refrigerated produce is a completely different matter. We wouldn't comment on the cost of the food disposed or the quantity involved but we can confirm it will go to an aerobic digestion plant."

Tesco has run a Community Food Collection since 2016 whereby local charities receive updates on food availability and then proceed to collect produce on a daily basis.