Metron Stores appointed interim examiner after food recall

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court appointed Joseph Walsh interim examiner to Metron Stores Limited on 20 June 2023, after a food safety recall order affecting Iceland stores in Ireland.

The company operated 26 Iceland stores in the Republic of Ireland and employed more than 344 people. Its reported debts were estimated at €36 million, and an independent experts report said it had a reasonable prospect of survival if specified steps, including examinership, were taken.

The recall notice required the company to withdraw imported frozen food of animal origin brought into Ireland since 3 March 2023. The company’s counsel said it had identified 239 products that might breach EU rules and had complied with the notice.

The company said it had taken steps to obtain the required certification and engaged with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The experts report said survival depended on reaching an arrangement with creditors, securing fresh investment and addressing leases at loss-making stores.