NHS report must provide the answers

The Christie name has been synonymous with quality bakery products for decades.

It has regularly been nominated for, and received, many plaudits for its savouries and pastries.

Just last week the bakery lifted two more national awards to add to its already impressive collection of gongs.

This time however, the praise for the firm is far from unanimous. That’s because 12 months ago the spotlight shone on the Christie brand for considerably less celebratory reasons. Last May more than 60 people fell ill after contracting Hepatitis A.

At that time, NHS Lanarkshire reported a‘possible link’to the bakery, with most cases recalling having consumed food from JB Christie in the period immediately prior to the outbreak.

As already stated, JB Christie was a byword for quality and remains a very popular bakery which employs dozens of people locally.

However, the victims of the outbreak, many of whom suffered terribly and continue to feel the effects, blame Christie’s for their predicament.

As such, they find it galling that, while their lives have been blighted, it appears to be business as usual for the bakery and congratulations all round.

This is completely understandable and it can only be hoped that the highly-anticipated health board report into the outbreak will give them the answers they crave and undoubtedly deserve.