Burton's Biscuits Covid outbreak: how many staff at the Edinburgh factory have coronavirus and is it safe to eat Burton’s products?

Tens of staff have been sent home to self isolate, while mass testing is also underway at the bakery

The UK’s most recognised biscuit maker, Burton’s, has revealed there has been a coronavirus outbreak at its Edinburgh factory.

The site produces millions of biscuits per day, predominantly distributing shortbread around Scotland and the rest of the UK.

However, the outbreak has led to tens of workers being sent home to self isolate - so what does this mean for the company’s production and are their biscuits still safe to eat?

Production will continue at the factory, despite the Covid outbreak (Picture: Google)

This is what we know so far.

Where is Burton’s biscuit factory and what biscuits does it make?

The Edinburgh factory is based in Bankhead Place at Sighthill Industrial Estate.

Burton’s Biscuits Co. make the likes of Jammie Dodgers, Wagon Wheels and Maryland cookies - but the Edinburgh site’s main product is Royal Edinburgh shortbread.

The Edinburgh factory makes about 7.5 million biscuits a day, shortbread makes up 25 percent of all produce.

How many workers have tested positive for coronavirus?

The exact number of workers who have tested positive is unknown, but the bakery has confirmed that around 40 members of staff have been sent home to self isolate, after a “proportion” of them tested positive.

The biscuit company will now conduct mass testing onsite, in line with Scottish Health Protection Service (SHPS) regulations.

This is not the first time Edinburgh’s ‘home of shortbread’ has been impacted by Covid. In October 2020, four workers were also sent home after testing positive.

Will the bakery continue operating?

Burton’s have confirmed production will continue, despite the apparent spread of coronavirus among staff members.

A spokesperson for the company said: “We are in close liaison with all relevant regulatory agencies, including SHPS, and they are fully supportive of the action we are taking.

“Once the result of the mass testing is known, we will take whatever action is deemed to be appropriate.

“Production levels remain unaffected and we are of course monitoring the situation closely. There are currently no plans to suspend or reduce production.”

In April 2020, the company posted a notice to it’s website, stressing how the company was ensuring biscuit making could continue safely throughout the pandemic.

It read: “Distancing of 2 metres lies at the heart of our commitment to fully comply with all food manufacture guidance issued by the UK government and Public Health England, with social distancing champions appointed to ensure this happens.

“Other measures taken include changes to the design of workstations, including the introduction of clear plastic screens where necessary, along with the new clocking on and off procedures.

There is no reason to suggest the biscuits have been infected and there is no apparent risk to consumers.