P'nP thank their customers

2003-07-19 20:11

Johannesburg - Food chain Pick 'n Pay on Saturday expressed its gratitude to all South Africans for their "incredible support shown over the past few weeks during the food poisoning scare."

Raymond Ackerman, the chairperson of the chain store, said: "Over the years, we have faced may crises, major issues and problems that have affected our company in one way or another.

"The recent extortion attempt and tampering with products in our stores is an appalling crime.

"I am so proud of all in the Pick 'n Pay family, including our customers, staff, and suppliers who have supported us in our rejection of what is, candidly, an act of terror, indiscriminately aimed at us all."

This follows a parcel of products injected with cyanide in May and June by an extortionist, along with a letter threatening to place similar items in stores if demands for money were not met.

Pick 'n Pay decided on June 29, after a seven-week silence, to warn the public and withdraw the targeted products after a 79-year-old woman ate a sardine that was found to be laced with cyanide.

Since then, two women and a young girl from Johannesburg and a KwaZulu-Natal customer had eaten contaminated foods. All the victims were reportedly in good health.

Ackerman said: "This has been an extremely trying time for Pick 'n Pay and I have been both impressed and comforted by the professional handling of this very serious issue by our chief executive officer Sean Summers and his management team."

He said he was greatly encouraged by the expertise and professional commitment from the SA Police Services and all the other professionals working towards the speedy apprehension of this criminal.

"I have been kept closely informed and have every confidence in our team to continue managing this in the best interests of our customers and the company as we return to normal and at the same time bring the perpetrators to justice."

Police investigations are continuing.

- SAPA