Family still waiting for answers one year after E.coli poisoning
THE PARENTS of two boys who became seriously ill after contracting E.coli 0157 suspected to be from beef burgers are still waiting for answers from supermarket giant Sainsbury’s more than a year later.
Alfie and Oliver Maude, then seven and three, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, came down with upset stomachs two days after eating the Taste the Difference Aberdeen Angus burgers in October 2017. Alfie was admitted to Darlington hospital two days later with excruciating stomach pain and severe dehydration.
He was then rushed to Newcastle hospital for dialysis because his kidneys were failing. Both boys had developed a serious condition, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, although Oliver did not require dialysis.
Both will have to undergo regular check-ups well into adulthood to keep an eye on their kidneys.
Mother Vicci Maude said she and husband Steve were besides themselves with worry as their boys “puffed up and turned yellow”. She said: “When the consultant came in she said some children don’t survive this – obviously it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to hear. They still find it very stressful having to go back to hospital and having blood tests. I just feel they (Sainsbury’s) need to take some responsibility.”
Her mother and stepfather, Judith and David Walker, who bought the pack at the Tindale Crescent store, near Bishop Auckland, had kept an unused burger in the freezer. Public Health England confirmed that it was the same strain of E.coli that was in the burgers that made her children ill, said Mrs Maude.
In December 2017 Sainsbury’s recalled the burgers after reports that 12 people had become ill.
Jill Greenfield, of Fieldfisher law firm, which is pursuing a compensation claim against Sainsbury’s, said: “A life-long risk of renal failure is a terrible sword to have hanging over you.”
Sainsbury’s said: “We were very concerned to hear of Alfie and Oliver’s condition. We are fully supporting the investigation into their case.”