Bankruptcy of Esro Vlees after intervention by NVWA

The management of Esro Vlees has filed for bankruptcy after the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) revoked its approval with immediate effect. As a result, the meat processing company from North Brabant had to abruptly halt its activities. The reason for the intervention is an investigation by the NVWA last month, in which the company is suspected of processing cattle parts that would not be suitable for human consumption. Hygiene protocols would also not have been followed and possibly spoiled meat would have been processed. In addition, the NVWA is investigating whether products were supplied to customers without the required approval. The Intelligence and Investigations Service of the NVWA raided the company last week. During the raid, the administration was seized and meat was destroyed on site. The NVWA then decided to revoke the approval. A recall has also been launched for products that ended up with more than 200 customers. According to the regulator, this measure was taken as a precaution. No reports are known of consumers who became ill. Suspicions The management of Esro Vlees says that no court ruling has been issued and that there are only suspicions. According to the company, the revocation of the permit has brought a thriving business with more than 50 years of history to a standstill, making continuation no longer possible. Approximately 60 employees and more than 100 temporary workers are losing their jobs. The management describes the course of events as disproportionate and points out that other entities within the Esro Food Group are not involved in the bankruptcy. The administrator is investigating whether a restart of (parts of) the activities is possible, in consultation with the parties involved.