Tests by the Ministry of Health found worms in a container of Knorr soup mix. Knorr is a brand of Unilever. The product was tested following a complaint by a customer who bought a container of Knorr onion soup mix only to find live worms inside. The lab tests confirmed their presence.
The test report stated, "The aluminum seal was covered in a thick layer of detritus where a great many worms were living." The report added, "The infestation of the product was extremely severe and it was almost completely devoured. The worms had therefore made their way out of the opening in the aluminum seal to create the layer of detritus. The infestation had continued for several months at a minimum."
The report added, "The product was put into the container while infested."
The Ministry of Health is demanding that Unilever Israel provide explanations about the serious findings. It can be assumed that an inspection of the company's plant will be undertaken soon.
Unilever Israel said in response, ""Several weeks ago, the complainant contacted us with a complaint about the Knorr soup mix. We immediately handled the complaint, and even sent an expert entymologist to examine the product. He confirmed unequivocally that worms had penetrated it long after it had left the company's plant. This is a product produced at our plant a year ago, and it is not possible that the worms penetrated the product during production.
"It should be noted that until now, our company has received no official notice from the Ministry of Health about the product, which is normal practice in such cases. We reject the Ministry of Health's findings, which we learned about from the media."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 19, 2010
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