UK food supply threatened as migrants break into trucks, contaminating produce

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The increasing humanitarian crisis in Africa and the Middle East, causing thousands of migrants to enter and cross Europe, is significantly impacting the perishables supply chain.

So far this year around £10m-worth of fresh produce destined for the UK has had to be dumped after people climbed into lorries, potentially contaminating the loads. And there are now increasing numbers of reports of the theft of produce by organised gangs.

“Imports of fruit and vegetables are an intrinsic part of the UK’s food ...