The general public are being informed to take care when dealing with and cooking poultry following an increase in salmonella instances linked to imports from Poland.
A Meals Requirements Company (FSA) investigation is ongoing into a number of strains of salmonella linked to poultry merchandise imported to the UK from Poland.
There have been over 200 human instances of salmonellosis linked to such merchandise, together with meat and eggs, this yr.
The FSA mentioned it was in dialogue with Polish and EU officers to “guarantee all steps are taken to enhance the protection of poultry and eggs imported from Poland”.
Tina Potter, head of incidents on the FSA, famous that quite a lot of the instances concerned the consumption of eggs produced in Poland and utilized in meals in eating places and cafes.
“We’re subsequently asking native authorities to remind meals companies in regards to the significance of fine hygiene practices,” she mentioned.
For the general public, FSA’s recommendation is to take care when storing, dealing with, and cooking poultry merchandise corresponding to hen, turkey and duck.
Ms Potter added: “You must all the time test the cooking directions on meals packaging, as totally different manufacturers of the identical sort of product may need totally different directions.
“Cooking meals on the proper temperature and for the proper size of time will be sure that any dangerous micro organism are killed.
“On the similar time, ensure that any surfaces and gear that come into contact with meals are clear to keep away from dangers from cross contamination and all the time wash your fingers earlier than and after dealing with meals.”
Salmonella is a kind of abdomen bug that causes abdomen ache, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Signs usually resolve themselves inside just a few days, however they are often extra extreme with fever and dehydration, particularly in younger kids.
The FSA mentioned infants, kids, pregnant ladies, and older individuals ought to solely eat runny or uncooked eggs if they’ve a British Lion mark or are produced underneath the Laid in Britain egg assurance scheme.
