Caterpillar complaint thrown out

An investigation launched following a complaint found the manufacturers had no case to answer.

Environmental health chiefs at Hyndburn Council started the inquiry after Kauser Parveen, of Glebe Street, Great Harwood said she saw the larva after opening a sealed packet of Cow and Gate premium formula milk bought from a stall at Accrington Indoor Market in July.

She said she was about to feed her six-month-old niece Zoyah Hanif when she made the discovery and lodged a formal complaint with the council.

Zoyah is the daughter of Njan Hanif and her husband Mohammed Hanif, also of Glebe Street.

Principal environmental health officer at Hyndburn Council Jim Livesey said today that following an "extensive investigation" it was found that the caterpillar had probably got into the packet of milk after the seal had been broken.

Mr Livesey said: "We treat all food complaints seriously and carried out an extensive investigation.

"We sent a sample to the county analyst and his report stated that it contained a live caterpillar measuring 22mm by 3mm. Also present was the cast skin of the caterpillar.

"The report says that this caterpillar would have been unlikely to have survived in baby powder milk and would have most likely made its way in their after it was opened.

"There is no case to answer as far as the manufacturer is concerned."

Manufacturers Cow and Gate who co-operated with the investigation told environmental health officers that it would be extremely unlikely that anything could survive because the powder is sealed in a protective atmosphere so the oxygen is removed.

Hyndburn Council has written to the family informing them that the complaint has been written off.

Customer assistance manager at Cow and Gate Sally Griffiths said: "Obviously we are pleased that the investigation has found no fault on our part.

"We have written to the family but we have had no response."

Mrs Parveen did not wish to comment.