Could ISO 9001 Have Saved Pieminister and Lidl from Embarrassing Recalls?

russell844
Jun 18
3 min read

View through a window of a Lidl store with parked cars in front. Inside, there's a table with cups. Sunny day, green hills in the background.

In June 2025, two well-known UK food brands - Pieminister and Lidl - issued urgent product recalls that raised serious concerns about quality control and consumer safety in the food sector.

Pieminister's Labelling Error

Pieminister, famed for its gourmet pies sold across supermarkets, restaurants, and festivals, recalled its Moo & Brew steak and ale pies due to a significant labelling error. The use-by date printed on the packaging was 6 June 2026, rather than the correct date: 6 June 2025. This error posed a risk to consumers who may store and consume the product well beyond its safe shelf life. Although no illnesses were reported, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a consumer alert, and Pieminister was forced to initiate a full recall. The incident highlighted a lapse in final product checks, particularly in the packaging and labelling verification stage.

Lidl’s Contaminated Hash Browns

Meanwhile, Lidl recalled 700g packs of its Harvest Basket Hash Browns after the discovery of metal fragments in the product. According to Lidl and the FSA, the contamination originated from a machinery fault during production. While the issue was caught before any confirmed injuries, the risk of physical harm prompted immediate withdrawal of affected batches from all stores. This type of contamination is taken very seriously under UK food safety regulations and reflects a clear failure in the physical inspection and equipment monitoring process.

Both incidents - though unrelated - highlight weaknesses in core areas that ISO 9001:2015 is designed to strengthen.

How ISO 9001:2015 Could Have Helped

ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognised standard for quality management systems (QMS). It helps organisations across sectors maintain high standards of consistency, safety, and customer satisfaction. Here’s how this standard can directly address issues raised in the Pieminister and Lidl recalls:

Clause 8.5.1 – Controlled Production and Service Provision
- This clause ensures that operations are carried out under controlled conditions, including labelling and packaging. In Pieminister’s case, the use of automated verification or double-check protocols for printed labels could have prevented the incorrect date from going undetected. A certified system would require:
  - Documented procedures for label approval
  - Final release sign-off for packaging
  - Training and accountability for packing line staff
Clause 8.6 – Release of Products and Services
- For Lidl, the presence of metal fragments indicates a breakdown in product release checks. ISO 9001 mandates that all products undergo verification before being released to customers. Proper application would have ensured:
  - Regular calibration and maintenance of metal detection equipment
  - Process monitoring to detect anomalies early
  - Batch testing protocols with traceability to catch errors before distribution
Clause 8.4 – Control of Externally Provided Processes, Products, and Services
- If either brand used third-party manufacturers or packaging providers, ISO 9001 would have helped ensure those suppliers met defined quality criteria. This includes:
  - Supplier audits and evaluations
  - Clear specifications and acceptance criteria
  - Ongoing performance reviews
Clause 10 – Improvement and Nonconformity Handling
- When issues occur, ISO 9001 provides a structure for investigating root causes and preventing recurrence. This is not just a reactionary measure—it embeds a culture of continual improvement.

A Reputational Wake-Up Call

Product recalls carry substantial consequences - lost revenue, shaken consumer confidence, and potential regulatory sanctions. For brands like Pieminister and Lidl, who have worked hard to build reputations around quality and trust, these events are damaging. What’s more, such incidents can trigger further scrutiny from food safety authorities and erode retailer relationships.

Implementing ISO 9001:2015 sends a strong message to stakeholders: “We take quality seriously, and we have systems in place to make sure we get it right.” For companies in food manufacturing, distribution, and retail, a robust QMS is no longer a luxury - it’s a strategic necessity.

Why ISO 9001 Matters in 2025

With consumers more safety-conscious and regulators more vigilant than ever, businesses cannot afford to rely on good intentions alone. ISO 9001 gives organisations the structure and tools to identify risks, maintain control over critical processes, and deliver consistent results.

At AAA Certification Ltd, we make ISO 9001 certification straightforward and affordable. We work with businesses across the food and drink industry - from boutique producers to national retailers - to help them implement systems that actually work in practice, not just on paper.