Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Inquiry into
food poisoning cases
MARIE O'HALLORAN
Source of Article: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0805/1217628552404.html
EIGHT CASES of salmonella food poisoning are being investigated by the Food
Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), following an outbreak in late June and
early July.
The authority has warned food outlets providing ready-to-eat sandwiches to
be "particularly strict in adhering to best hygiene practices", in
the wake of the onset of these cases.
All eight incidents involve the same type of salmonella - agona - and a similar outbreak has occurred in the
This is the first outbreak of salmonella in
It is thought the outbreak involves meat and poultry products, the cause of
most salmonella-linked cases, but the FSAI said yesterday its investigation
"seeks to establish the source of the illness, and laboratory testing of
foods is being carried out which should provide further information shortly".
A company that supplies implicated ingredients to the catering sector has
withdrawn these products from sale as a precaution, the FSAI said.
It is working with British agencies in its investigation as well as the
Departments of Health and Agriculture and the Health Protection Surveillance
Centre.
The authority is continuing to investigate all other potential sources of
contamination. An FSAI spokeswoman said the cases were spread over a number of
locations.
Warning food outlets about hygiene practices, the FSAI said it was important
to ensure that hot sandwiches must be thoroughly cooked before being served to
the consumer.
Strict procedures should be followed at all times to avoid
cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods, it added.
Salmonella bacteria are found in the intestines of humans and animals but
can also be found in raw meat, eggs, poultry and unpasteurised
milk.
Further information is available at the authority's website on www.fsai.ie.
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