Update on salmonella outbreak

The products being withdrawn by Dawn Farm Foods are:

• Dunnes Chicken and Bacon Sandwich Filler
• Pack size: 170g
• Use by: 13 August 2008 to 18 August 2008

• O’Brien’s Chicken and Bacon Sandwich Filler
• Pack size: 170g
• Use by: 13 August 2008 to 18 August 2008

• Supervalu Chicken and Bacon Sandwich Filler
• Pack size: 170g
• Use by: 13 August 2008 to 18 August 2008

These products were manufactured by the Kerry Group in the Republic of Ireland and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has issued a press release on their withdrawal. The Dunnes and O’Brien’s products are known to have been distributed to Dunnes Stores premises in Northern Ireland and Dunnes Stores has withdrawn these products from sale. The Agency is awaiting further details from the FSAI regarding the actions that have been taken by Dunnes Stores in Northern Ireland to tell consumers about the withdrawal. The Supervalu product has not been distributed or sold through Supervalu stores in Northern Ireland.

The FSAI has listed on its website three further products that have been withdrawn, as a precautionary measure, by retailers in the Republic of Ireland, because the products might also be contaminated with salmonella. The FSAI update (see link below) advises the products are also being recalled from consumers. The Agency is not aware that the products have been distributed or sold in Northern Ireland.

These withdrawals follow the FSAI issuing an update on Wednesday 13 August on the outbreak. The ongoing investigation into the outbreak of Salmonella Agona, which includes laboratory testing of foods, has provided evidence of a link to Dawn Farm Foods as a possible source of the contamination.

FSAI has identified a number of chicken, beef and bacon products that could potentially be contaminated with salmonella. The FSAI has asked food businesses to check the source of their ingredients. If they have originated from Dawn Farm Foods (plant number 734) they are strongly advised to check if they have used the products listed on the FSAI website (see link below), to withdraw these from sale and to contact the FSAI with details.

At present, about 110 cases of illness caused by this type of salmonella have been reported in Ireland and the UK affecting all ages, but predominantly young adults.

More background about the outbreak can be found at the links below.

When the Agency has further information or useful advice for consumers in relation to this outbreak it will publish it immediately.

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product). Food alerts are the FSA's way of letting local authorities and consumers know about problems associated with food and, in some cases, providing details of specific action to be taken. They are issued under two categories:

• Food Alerts: for Action
• Food Alerts: for Information

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