The grand Tesco apology

Tesco.com

Dear Customer, Following my last email to you explaining what we are doing to review how we source our food and sharing the progress we are making on our testing programme, today I am announcing some new commitments. I know that the discovery of Philip Clarke, Group Chief Executive, Tesco plc horsemeat in products sold in several major retailers, including Tesco, has shaken your trust in food retailers and the products we sell. You've told us that you want to buy British. And that the journey from farm to fork should be far less complicated. I've listened to what you have said and we're making some real and lasting changes. Today I make you a promise. Tesco is going to bring the food we sell closer to home. We're going to make how we source our food simpler, more transparent and shorter, and we will build better relationships with our nation's farmers. We are the UK's biggest retailer, the biggest customer of UK agriculture and I firmly believe that we should be the best supporter of British farmers. Already, all of our beef – fresh, frozen and in ready meals – comes from the UK and the Republic of Ireland. So, we have made a start. But events over the past month have reinforced my conviction that we need to move faster and try harder. As a first step, today I am announcing that from July all of our fresh chickens will come from UK farms. No exceptions. We will also move, over time, to ensure that all the chicken in all of our products - fresh and frozen – is from the British Isles. We are building on our partnerships with farmers so everyone gets a fair deal. It's the right thing to do for British agriculture and for you, our customer. I can assure you that everyone at Tesco is committed to ensuring our entire product range offers the highest quality. This applies as much to our Everyday Value range as to our Finest range. We know that, no matter what you spend, everyone deserves to eat well. Whatever a customer is able to afford, there can be no compromise - what's on the pack (and only what's on the pack) is what will be in the product. Everyone in the food industry has a big job ahead to win back your trust. But I am determined to lead the way, by changing the way Tesco sources food for the better. The commitments I am making are genuine, and I expect to be held to account for them. That's why we are also establishing an independent panel to improve the way the supply chain works in practice. So, in summary We'll put in place better controls We'll bring food closer to home We'll build better relationships with our farmers We'll create more transparency Here's the link to a new website that we are launching today, to keep you informed on our progress. Over time, it will allow you to see where the food you are eating comes from, how it was produced and who produced it. I am clear it is time to do things differently. As the market leader in the UK, it is our responsibility to lead and it's what you, our customer expect of us. Thank you, Philip Clarke 0800 505 555