Hen Huggers R Us Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Having recently been corresponding with the Jamie Oliver team with regard to the new range of Pesto's, I was disappointed to read that the green coriander pesto contained Egg. I queried wether or not it was "Free Range Egg" or not to which I received this reply... Dear Kathryn, Thanks for writing to Jamie about the pesto you bought. Your letter has been passed on to us at Fresh Retail Ventures Ltd., as we are responsible for sourcing and marketing the Jamie Oliver range of products after Jamie and his food team have developed them. The egg product - known as lyzosyme - is traditionally used during the manufacture of the Grana Padano cheese which is in the pesto and we are currently making urgent investigations with our Italian colleagues as to the nature of the eggs involved. Please be assured that we take such matters very seriously and we are working to ensure that the eggs used are from free range hens. As it is August, many of our Italian colleagues are on holiday but we are investigating with the utmost urgency. Fair enough I though, they will probably come back with good news.. Surely the hens in Italy must be fettling aroung in the sun, or so I thought. After emailing for an update weeks later, I was saddened to receive this reply.... Dear Kathryn, Our Italian colleagues have confirmed that some of the egg products came from eggs which were not free-range and we have been clear with them that this is not acceptable. As a result we are improving the recipe for those pestos using a different cheese which does not require any egg products. We anticipate that these pestos will be on the shelves early in 2009. I hope this answers your query satisfactorily Kind regards Dawn Personally I didn't think this was sufficient, do you?? I replied... Hello Dawn, Whilst this is great news, there are still millions of jars out there on the shelves of supermarkets and I feel the general public are being mislead as I was. Labels should be reprinted with immediate effect stating that egg products used are from caged birds. As a member of the "Omlet" Hen Keepers forum I will be submitting a post warning people of this atrocity. I sincerely hope you have informed Jamie Oliver of this oversight in the research of ingredients to use in "his" products I don't think he will be very happy to learn he has put his name to these Pesto's. I personally will not be purchasing them again in the future I urge anyone out there thinking of buying, or who have bought it unknowing that the egg product used is from caged birds, to send a complaint via their website. I have just seen a member of the Jamie Oliver forum ask this very question as to whether it was free range or not, so people are definatley wondering!!! I think Jamie would be horrified to know he is endorsing these products, and reckon they should be re-labelled or withdrawn... Just thought you all should know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 that's an utter disgrace! He should know exactly what products (and ingredients) he puts his name to. Good for you for doing something about this. I'd post this on his forum too if I were you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Huggers R Us Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 Don't worry Poet, I have posted it all on the forum there. Lets see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Oooh Jamie double slap from me. (the other one is for swearing too much, stop it!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Oooh Jamie double slap from me. (the other one is for swearing too much, stop it!!) Ditto from me as well - he really should have researched properly before allowing the release of the pesto. As for the swearing........... He is worse than he was in the last series and I'll probably stop watching soon - I can't be bothered to listen to it anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisdog Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Thanks for this info - I recently bought a jar of his pesto, wondering whether to take it back How do we complain to him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Huggers R Us Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 I complained via the Jamie Oliver website, I think there was a link on there to their Italian food range or something, try there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen&Rog Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 GOOD ON YOU! I'm infuriated hearing things like this. My personal annoyance at the moment is restaurants who claim to have vegetarian options on the menu, and when you ask "is that free-range egg in the pasta?" you firstly get a blank look, and after enquiring with the chef they say 'er, sorry - no'. Grrrrrrr What more can we do to 'name and shame' these places? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Huggers R Us Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 Thanks for this info - I recently bought a jar of his pesto, wondering whether to take it back How do we complain to him? No actually I remember now, there was a website on the jar and a link to complaints! That's where I found it and emailed them... If you still have the jar post the web address on here so we can bombard them with complaints!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 An appalling oversight by the Jamie Oliver manufacturing team - personally I don't expect him to know every ingredient and where it comes from but I DO expect him to have given instructions about the sourcing of ALL the ingredients in products with his name. I'm actually quite impressed that they have done something so fundamental as changing an entire recipe and therefore manufacturing process on the basis of your e mail - I think realistically that that is a fairly HUGE response from a manufacturer. The fact that they won't be instantly disposing of the offending current product is a bit disappointing but is almost certainly economically led. They can't relabel stuff that's already on the shelves but they could sent out a small information sheet to be attatched under the shelf stocking the product - then again people might not so readily buy it and it will, therefore, remain on the shelves for longer. A tricky one, as for his swearing it seems to me to be done almost entirely for effect, it's not necessary. I don't mind it so much from Gordon, mind you he gets his shirt off in every episode....... Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Huggers R Us Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 They can't relabel stuff that's already on the shelves Mrs B I appreciate they can't re-label this already distributed stock, but there must be thousands still in warehouses or distribution centres waiting to be shipped, that could be recalled and re-labeled. I bought this product in good faith purely because Jamie's name was on the jar, I admire an respect his opinions and feel the company have let him and us down badly. I trust any Quorn product ( which we have eaten regularily since getting our girls) the food is gorgeous and I know that any product containg egg is always stated as being free range.well done Quorn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I am very, very disappointed I don't use these sauces, but it really is bad that they have been so slap-dash in their research. The people who threw these ranges together obviously have little or no knowledge about the ingredients involved and even less of an idea about animal welfare. Buffie - where are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Well at least they are willing to do something about it and are taking your concerns seriously - a lot of places wouldn't even bother to reply. Yes they should have sourced things properly but they are going to rectify the mistake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Huggers R Us Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 Well at least they are willing to do something about it and are taking your concerns seriously - a lot of places wouldn't even bother to reply. Yes they should have sourced things properly but they are going to rectify the mistake Yes that's great, but will Jamie, being a patron of the BHWT ever live this down if the media get a grip of it?? Being who he is, and what he stands for, this is pretty shoddy research, IMHO At least the new stock will be available in 2009, (what month not given though) but how long before the older stock is sold and replaced with this new stock? It could still be in circulation for months.... Sorry to rant so must but I hate feeling like I have been led down the garden path! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Well at least they are willing to do something about it and are taking your concerns seriously - a lot of places wouldn't even bother to reply. Yes they should have sourced things properly but they are going to rectify the mistake Yes that's great, but will Jamie, being a patron of the BHWT ever live this down if the media get a grip of it?? Being who he is, and what he stands for, this is pretty shoddy research, IMHO At least the new stock will be available in 2009, (what month not given though) but how long before the older stock is sold and replaced with this new stock? It could still be in circulation for months.... Sorry to rant so must but I hate feeling like I have been led down the garden path! I totally agree with you hen hugger, so they SHOULD rectify this mistake. Jamie did such a good job with his campaign for for free range eggs and chicken and things like this make a mockery of all his hard work. I still think he should be aware of what goes into the food he puts his name to. Maybe he's got too big for his own good and can't keep track! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Yes that's great, but will Jamie, being a patron of the BHWT ever live this down if the media get a grip of it?? Being who he is, and what he stands for, this is pretty shoddy research, IMHO : Ooooh, yes, had forgotten he was a patron. I agree, it's pretty bad of his team or whoever did the research, the whole point with free range and organic is that EVERYTHING that can be HAS to be otherwise it doesn't make the grade. I'm still impressed that they're changing it, but I think with hindsight that he will have to issue some form of formal statement or apology. Have you thought about bringing it to the attention of the BBC or the like? Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Huggers R Us Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 Oh Goodness no, I wouldn't want to inflict that kind of unwelcome publicity on him, I'm hoping the lady that I have corresponded with will notify Jamie. I don' t know what he can do to rectify it though... His name is already on the ofending jars. Maybe a specially cooked meal for me and mine and a nice cuddle may sooth my hurt don't you think??? Just out of interest is there anyone else out there who had known of this ingredient error? Someone on his own website forum had queried this, so not just me to have noticed, I wonder just how many complaints they have had.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Here I am Clare... Ok what we have to understand, difficult I know, but some things get over looked Not ok but it happens. SO I will look into this...be assured . On monday I have time to give a few things a really good investigation and I will report back. Please be patient Buffie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Huggers R Us Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 Here I am Clare... Ok what we have to understand, difficult I know, but some things get over looked or lost Not ok but it happens. SO I will look into this...be assured . On monday I have time to give a few things a really good investigation and I will report back. Please be patient Buffie x Sorry to be nosy, but am I missing something here? Are you connected in some way to the Jamie Oliver products team....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Back again, no I work for BHWT. First off this type of thing gets easily over looked as it's a preservative I believe and certainly used in the production of certain parmesan cheeses. Sorry can't be absolutely sure but I know I've investigated it before. These things get 'hidden' in products and also over looked in production, it's easily done and that's why I joined BHWT in the first place. If you imagine no one has asked about such things in the past, like pasteurised egg, dried egg white etc. So I see this as a great opportunity to help them source the right product I certainly don't blame anyone, the 'hidden egg' is a minefield and what my role is all about and as promised will look into this on Monday. What's brilliant is they have immediately rectified this. Checking labels is the best way to make positive changes Buffie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I agree that the manufacturers response has been quick and very responsible. As Buffie says it really is a minefield with hidden eggs. .I trust any Quorn product ( which we have eaten regularily since getting our girls) the food is gorgeous and I know that any product containg egg is always stated as being free range.well done Quorn The manufacturers of Quorn however only caved in after sustained pressure and lobbying. They knowingly used eggs from caged hens and brushed aside any complaints in the same way Hellmans did over thir mayo. - stating that it was 'impossible' for them to source the egg from free range hens Only a drop in sales seems to have convinced these two manufacturers to have a rethink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 It's good to see consumer pressure having the desired effect Check your labels carefully people and be prepared to be assertive and lobby (gently ) companies who are using battery eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Gosh I'm sure this is a genuine oversight by Mr Oliver, but having seen him do that show about caged and broiler hens and bang on about wet eggs you'd have thought he'd get someone to double check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisdog Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I only found his website address on the jar, and there is a contact link on the website so I have dropped them a note about it just so they know that people are not happy. I hope the free-range version comes out soon, in the meantime I will stick to Waitrose pesto! Cheers Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I totally agree with you hen hugger, so they SHOULD rectify this mistake. Jamie did such a good job with his campaign for for free range eggs and chicken and things like this make a mockery of all his hard work. I still think he should be aware of what goes into the food he puts his name to. Maybe he's got too big for his own good and can't keep track! he has indeed got big... I read this week that young Mockney Cockney's PA has her own PA.... Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
