Pan Mac issues safety statement on Monroe’s Thrifty Kitchen as changes made post-publication

Bluebird, a Pan Macmillan non-fiction imprint, has issued a statement regarding “potentially risky” hacks and tips included in Jack Monroe’s latest book Thrifty Kitchen, which was published on 5th January 2023.

The statement reads: “Bluebird and Pan Macmillan understand that some of the hacks and tips in Jack Monroe’s Thrifty Kitchen have been pointed out to be potentially risky if proper care and attention is not taken. These include a way to open a tin can without a tin opener, how to repurpose a tin can after first use, and a method of straining food without a strainer or colander.”

It continues that these hacks come from when Monroe “found herself in extreme circumstances of food poverty and necessity required creative solutions to overcome the obstacles” and that “proper tools should, of course, be used where possible.”

Moreover, it states that “the tips are not recommended for daily use but have been mentioned for completeness and to give alternatives” and that “safety measures should be given the highest priority, especially when dealing with knives and sharp objects, and heat and electrical appliances”, concluding: “Bluebird has amended text in the e-book edition, and will do the same for future reprints, removing or amending some of the content that has been flagged, and adding enhanced safety information at the back of the book.”

In response to concerns raised regarding the book’s content, the Trussell Trust – a UK charity to combat poverty – wrote on Twitter: “While Jack and BookShop have agreed to donate a number of books for our food banks, we don’t have any editorial control of the content. The safety of people who use food banks is our priority and food banks aim to help people access essentials such as tin openers if needed.

“The publishers have assured us that they’re taking action. The books that will be donated to our food banks will contain an addendum that addresses any health and safety concerns and we will not be distributing any books via our food banks in the current form.”

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Responding on Twitter, Monroe said: “Well, one thing to come out of the hammer and knife dogpile is the sheer volume of kind souls donating can openers to their local food bank collection points as a result. Once again, the Good Twitter Community pulls through and quietly delivers. Thank you, you generous wonders.”