Woburn Safari Park has admitted vegetables donated to feed animals were used by the Bedfordshire attraction's café, but insisted there had been no safety risk to visitors.

In a statement, the safari park confirmed a one-off delivery of "surplus vegetables" had been made in September 2009 by a local company, but said potatoes and onions did not suit animal requirements. However, Woburn officials also insisted that the food was fit for human consumption and had been delivered straight to the kitchen, with no risk of cross-contamination.

A Woburn spokesperson said: "At no point was there a risk to food safety or cross-contamination. The vegetables were delivered directly to the kitchen as a normal delivery would be. "Woburn is regularly inspected by the Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) and always has good levels of food hygiene."

CBC portfolio holder for safer communities and healthier lifestyles, David McVicar, said: "As the incident happened some time ago and as Woburn Safari Park have implemented the improvements that were recommended to them, we now consider the matter closed."