More food products recalled in inquiry

THREE ADDITIONAL products have been identified as possible sources of salmonella by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) following warnings at the weekend about beef supplied by a Co Kildare food plant.

The FSAI has been investigating a food poisoning outbreak caused by salmonella agona, which has affected eight people. The bug can cause serious illness, including diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever.

A number of products from Dawn Farm Foods, the Maudlins, Naas, have been recalled from sale. The additional products recalled yesterday involve products produced on the same production line.

They are Dunne's chicken and bacon sandwich filler, 170g, with use-by dates of August 13th to 18th; Supervalu chicken and bacon sandwich filler, 170g, with use-by dates August 13th to 18th; and O'Brien's chicken and bacon sandwich filler, 170g, with use-by dates August 13th to 18th.

The O'Brien's sandwich bar chain is not affected.

In particular, one product, cooked bacon supplied to Kerry Foods, has been incorporated into a number of branded retail packs of chicken and bacon sandwich filler tubs which have been sold through national retail chains.

These products had been withdrawn by the retailers, but there is a possibility consumers may have them in their homes.

The FSAI said it was advising consumers not to eat the affected products and to return them to the point of purchase.

Alan Reilly of the FSAI said yesterday there was a concern that some secondary products may be on the market. It was imperative that all food businesses check the source of their ingredients and if they had originated from Dawn Farm Foods (plant number 734) they were advised to check if they had used the products listed on the FSAI website, to withdraw these from sale and to contact the FSAI with details.

"Food businesses are reminded it is an offence to place unsafe food on the market and where they have reason to believe that a food does not meet food-safety requirements they must initiate procedures to withdraw the food in question from the market where it has left their immediate control, and inform the competent authorities."