Sarnies kill three
Hospital bug is linked to patient food
THREE patients have died after eating hospital food contaminated with listeria.
Another three have contracted the infection, which has been linked to sandwiches and salads.
All six patients were already seriously ill. They were staying at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool.
The outbreaks have been linked to pre-packaged sandwiches and salads supplied by The Good Food Chain.
The firm voluntarily stopped production while an investigation is held.
The Good Food Chain had been supplied with meat produced by North Country Cooked Meats, which has since produced a positive test result for the outbreak strain of listeria.
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North Country Cooked Meats and North Country Quality Foods, through which it distributes, have also voluntarily ceased production.
Dr Nick Phin, from the National Infection Service at Public Health England said: “Our thoughts are with the families of those patients who have died.
“We, along with the
Food Standards Agency colleagues in local authorities and the NHS have worked quickly to determine the likely cause of this outbreak and taken action to reduce the risk to the public’s health.
“To date, there have been no associated cases identified outside healthcare organisations, and any risk to the public is low.”
The listeria bacteria causes listeriosis, which can be fatal among people with weakened immune systems, such as those suffering from cancer. Pregnant women and unborn babies, newborn tots and elderly people are also particularly vulnerable.
Dr Colin Sullivan, chief operating officer at the FSA, said: “Our sympathies are with the families of those patients who have tragically passed away.
“We have taken action along with local authorities to minimise the risk based on the evidence so far.”
He added: “The FSA will continue to investigate how the outbreak occurred, and if further steps are required to protect vulnerable groups.”
The Good Food Chain’s website says its food is “hand made... providing assurance of quality and safety”. Last night the company did not respond to requests for comment.
A spokesman for North Country Cooked Meats said: “At this stage the company is currently cooperating fully with the environmental health and the FSA in their investigations and a further statement will be issued in due course.”