Beef supplied by a food plant in Naas, Co Kildare to the Subway fast food chain is being examined as a potential source of a salmonella outbreak in Ireland and Britain, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said today.
The body is continuing its investigation into a food poisoning outbreak of salmonella agona, which can cause serious illness, including diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. There have been at least eight reported case in Ireland recently.
“Whilst, the investigation continues to seek to establish the exact source of the outbreak, laboratory testing of foods is providing evidence of a possible link with Dawn Farm Foods Ltd, The Maudlins, Naas, County Kildare (plant number 734) and some of its products,” the FSAI said in a statement.
It said the company was cooperating fully with the investigation and the Department of Agriculture has instructed the company to detain all products produced on the manufacturing line in question.
“Information gathered by the FSAI suggests that potentially contaminated beef product was supplied to the Subway chain of food outlets and the FSAI has received assurance from Subway that this product has been removed from sale,” the FSAI said.
Subway confirmed it had voluntarily withdrawn specific batches of its Philly Style Steak and Chicken Fajita product from sale as soon as it became aware of the potential food safety issue. “No other products are affected by this action and alternative supplies of the Philly Style Steak and Chicken Fajita have been sourced,” Subway said in a statement.
“The Subway chain would like to assure consumers that products from the suspect batches are no longer in Subway outlets and that our customers can be confident eating in our stores.”
The FSAI urged food businesses providing made-to-order sandwiches to check the list of affected products on its website and to “comply swiftly and completely with the withdrawal”.
Alan Reilly of the FSAI said it was a “highly complicated” investigation into the food poisoning outbreak. “Consumers who believe any food they have eaten has made them ill should seek medical advice,” he said.
“The FSAI is working closely with the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the Health Service Executive, as well as the relevant agencies in the UK in relation to this food incident.”
The FSAI advice line can be contacted on 1890 33 66 77.