| Tue 1 Jul 2003, 17:19 | | JOINT STATEMENT BY PICK `N PAY AND THE SAPS |
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Pick n Pay stores Limited
Registration No: 1968/008034/06
ISIN : ZAE000005443
Share code: PIK
JOINT STATEMENT BY PICK `N PAY AND THE SAPS
Cape Town, 01 July 2003) The final blood tests of the Pick `n Pay shopper who
had eaten a sardine and who was hospitalised but later discharged after
exhibiting no symptons of poisoning, have been released.
SAPS have confirmed that the tests have detected traces of cyanide. The woman
had shown no physical side effects and had returned home on Sunday afternoon.
Pick `n Pay CEO Sean Summers said: "We are both distressed and extremely angry.
It is not the point that the traces detected are at a low level and not
sufficient to cause any side effects. The point is, the product has been
tampered with and contaminated. We are just enormously relieved that our
customer, who is 79, is in good health."
Toxicology reports released to SAPS today showed the level of cyanide in her
blood to be above normal, but, according to toxicology experts, not sufficient
to harm her or result in any side effects.
"The reason we went public with the threats being levelled at us was that
despite assurances given to us by the extortionist that our customers would not
be harmed, and despite the fact that he threatened us if we went public, we
simply could not risk the safety of our customers. The results of the analysis
prove that our decision to go public and withdraw the product was right."
Pick `n Pay has withdrawn not only this particular product, but two others as a
precaution in Gauteng.
Pick `n Pay has stepped up security and surveillance in all its stores in
Gauteng. The extortionist, to date, has focused his activities in two stores
and across three products. Customers have been returning the three products
steadily.
"The first three products were delivered in a package to our offices when this
first began, together with a threat that if we did not comply with his demands,
he would put similar products on our shelves. We entered into a controlled
dialogue with him. These three products, which were delivered directly to the
company"s offices, were tested and found to contain high levels of cyanide.
"The next contact we had, directed us to a specific product on an identified
shelf in our store in Boksburg. We immediately removed a marked product from our
shelves and sent it for analysis. The results were finalised this afternoon and
were found to contain traces of cyanide, but according to the toxicology
experts, not sufficient to be harmful.
It would appear that the products he first sent to our offices had significantly
higher levels of poison than those placed on our shelf. This may indicate that
his intention was not to harm customers, also given that the tins were clearly
marked "Poison contact Pick `n Pay. He certainly wanted to scare both us and our
customers.
"Despite a thorough shelf-by-shelf, product-by-product withdrawal at our stores
in Gauteng, we are again calling on all Pick `n Pay customers please to check
any of the three products they may have bought very carefully for any sign of
tampering. Better still, we would prefer that all customers in Gauteng return
the three products to us anywhere in Gauteng for a full refund."
The products are:
120g No Name Brand Sardines (product of Portugal): barcode 600 1007 007 263
Pick "n Pay"s Choice Garlic Flakes Bottle: barcode 600 1007 096 441
Lucky Star Pilchards in Chilli 155g: barcode 501 082 1132 007
Since this first broke on Sunday evening, members of the public have been
calling into the group with information. Police have confirmed that all
reasonable leads are being followed up.
Superintendent Dlamini of the SAPS said that Pick `n Pay were continuing to work
very closely with the SAPS. "We are very appreciative of the way in which the
company has communicated with the South African public. If anyone has any
information they would like to share with us in this matter, they are asked to
contact CrimeStop on 0860 010111.
Said Summers: "We have really been overwhelmed by the sheer number of calls,
letters, e-mails and direct contact we have had from our customers, suppliers,
shareholders and ordinary members of the public, expressing their support. We
will continue to keep everyone informed as things develop."
During the past 44 hours, the Pick `n Pay Customer Careline (0800 112288) has
received approximately 4800 calls. About 10% of calls have been general queries
about returning the three products. The balance have been calls of support and
solidarity.
The recall of the three products is progressing well. All products being
returned to Pick `n Pay stores in Gauteng are being sent to a central warehouse
and are being checked for any signs of tampering, with the full co-operation of
suppliers, who are assisting in the checking process. About 1192 cans in total
have been returned since 08h00 on Monday morning.
Further details will be released as information becomes available. The
extortionist has not made contact with Pick `n Pay since the group went public
with details of his threats.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Tamra Veley on 083 251 3658.
