Navigating UK’s latest health concerns

Food safety is a fundamental aspect of public health that affects daily consumer well-being. Recent events in the UK have brought food safety into sharp focus, with product recalls and outbreaks of foodborne illnesses underscoring the importance of rigorous safety measures. This blog explores recent incidents, the organisms involved, and their implications for consumers. Recent food recalls in the UK have highlighted various food safety issues, including allergen mislabelling, bacterial contamination, and improper storage conditions, emphasising the need for continuous vigilance and adherence to food safety protocols. For instance, the Asda recall of the Tiger Tiger Taste Japan Mirin due to undeclared soya poses an allergen risk. Iceland recall of Cooked Diced Chicken Breast for potential contamination with raw chicken. Aldi recalled the Plant Menu Organic Super Firm Tofu due to temperature control issues. Lidl recall of Deluxe Strolghino Salami for potential Salmonella contamination. The Cambridge Food Company recall of Baronet and Baby Baronet Soft Cheeses due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Additional serious food alerts from the Food Standards Agency (FSA)

In addition to the recalls mentioned above, several other serious food alerts have been issued recently:

• Block and Cleaver of Swanley, Kent: The FSA has issued multiple alerts regarding meat and meat products supplied by this cutting plant due to food safety concerns. Food Alert For Action (20 June 2024). 
• TK Maxx and Homesense: Recall of Kintra Foods Organic Premium Leaf Teas due to the presence of insects. Food Alert (17 June 2024).
• THIS!: Recall of Chicken and Bacon wrap due to possible contamination with E. coli. Food Alert (15 June 2024).
• Greencore Group: Recall of various sandwiches, wraps, and salads due to possible contamination with E. coli. Food Alert (13 June 2024).
• Samworth Brothers Manton Wood: Recall of Tesco and One Stop sandwiches and wraps due to possible contamination with E. coli. Food Alert (13 June 2024).
• The Real Wrap Company: Recall of ready-to-eat products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Food Alert (08 June 2024).
• Aldi: Recall of Ashfields Grill 4 Garlic & Herb Chicken Kebabs due to an incorrect use-by date. Food Alert (07 June 2024).
• Morrisons: Recall of wafer thin cooked chicken due to the potential presence of small metal pieces. Food Alert (06 June 2024).
• Brew York: Recall of Juice Forsyth due to risk of cans exploding from over carbonation. Food Alert (02 June 2024).

For a comprehensive list of all food alerts, visit the FSA website.

Rising cost of living and food safety: The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH, 2022)

The rising cost of living is exacerbating food safety concerns as consumers take risks to save money. A Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey found that:

• 32% of respondents had eaten food past its use-by date because they couldn’t afford to buy more.
• 18% had turned off a fridge or freezer containing food at least once in the previous month to save on energy bills.
• 30% had skipped a meal or reduced the size of meals due to financial constraints.
• 40% worried about affording food in the coming month.

Emily Miles, Chief Executive of the FSA, warned against turning off fridges or eating food past its use-by date, highlighting the increased risk of food poisoning. Surplus food redistribution charity FareShare is calling for additional funding to meet the skyrocketing demand as millions face food poverty.

Antibiotic use in poultry: superbug concerns

An investigation revealed that the Polish supplier SuperDrob, a major supplier to UK supermarkets, uses fluoroquinolone antibiotics in poultry. These antibiotics are critical for human health, raising concerns about the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or superbugs. The use of these antibiotics in agriculture can lead to resistant strains that make human infections harder to treat.

Key points:

• Superbugs refers to antibiotic-resistant bacteria as a growing threat, causing an estimated 1.2 million deaths globally in 2019 (Murray et al., 2022).
• Fluoroquinolones: Essential for treating severe infections in humans. Their use in livestock increases the risk of developing resistant bacteria (Pandey, 2024).
• Regulatory measures: The EU has tightened laws on antibiotic use in farms, but compliance and enforcement remain critical (Compassion in World Farming International, 2024).

Expert opinions:

• Kath Dalmeny, CEO of Sustain, calls for antibiotics to be used only on individual sick animals, not preventively.
• Jo Raven, Director of Farm Animal Investment Risk and Return initiative, stresses the need for stronger regulations and stricter enforcement.
• Peter Kemple Hardy, UK Campaigns Director at World Animal Protection, highlights the dependency of factory farming on antibiotics due to poor animal welfare practices.
• Erik Millstone, Emeritus Professor at the University of Sussex, advocates for improved hygiene standards on farms and in abattoirs.
• Mamdooh Alzyood, an advocate for improved hand hygiene standards, emphasises the critical role of proper hand hygiene in preventing the spread of foodborne illnesses. Dr Alzyood argues that hand hygiene remains the best and most simple, safe, effective, cost-effective and practical intervention for infection control and combating antimicrobial resistance. However, poor compliance highlights the ongoing importance of promoting and ensuring proper hand hygiene practices.

E. coli outbreak linked to pre-packaged sandwiches

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O145, linked to pre-packaged sandwiches containing lettuce. This outbreak has resulted in 256 confirmed cases, with 38% of patients requiring hospitalisation. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have issued precautionary product recall notices. For more information on E. coli O145, refer to our detailed [previous article].

Consumer safety measures

Food handling and hygiene:

• Wash hands with soap and warm water regularly.
• Use disinfectants to clean surfaces.
• Avoid preparing food for others when unwell.
• Do not return to work, school, or nursery until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.

For more detailed advice on dealing with diarrhoea and vomiting, visit the NHS page on diarrhoea and vomiting.

Product recalls:

• Always check for recall notices and return affected products for a refund.
• Stay informed about current recalls and food safety warnings here.

Recent food safety incidents in the UK highlight the ongoing challenges in ensuring a safe food supply. From antibiotic use in poultry to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, these events underscore the need for strict regulations, vigilant monitoring, and consumer awareness. By following recommended guidelines and staying informed, consumers can play a crucial role in maintaining food safety. For more detailed information and updates on food safety, visit the Food Standards Agency website.

References

• CIEH (2023) Chickens treated with antibiotics could compromise human health (2023) CIEH. Available at: https://www.cieh.org/ehn/food-safety-integrity/2023/july/chickens-treated-with-antibiotics-could-compromise-human-health/ (Accessed: 22 June 2024).
• CIEH (2022) Rising cost of living is compromising food safety (2022) CIEH. Available at: https://www.cieh.org/ehn/public-health-and-protection/2022/november/rising-cost-of-living-is-compromising-food-safety/ (Accessed: 22 June 2024).
• Compassion in World Farming International (2024) Government fails to live up to its commitments on farm antibiotic use, Ciwf.org.uk. Compassion in World Farming. Available at: https://www.ciwf.org.uk/media/press-releases-statements/2024/02/government-fails-to-live-up-to-its-commitments-on-farm-antibiotic-use (Accessed: 22 June 2024).
• Food Alert For Action: Food Businesses who have purchased products from Block and Cleaver of Swanley, Kent (2024) Food Standards Agency. Available at: https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-fafa-02-2024 (Accessed: 22 June 2024).
• GOV.UK (2024) E. coli advice issued amid rise in cases, GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/e-coli-advice-issued-amid-rise-in-cases (Accessed: 22 June 2024).
• Murray, C. J. L., Ikuta, K. S., Sharara, F., Swetschinski, L. R., Aguilar, G. R., Gray, A. P., … & Naghavi, M. (2022). Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis. The Lancet, 399(10325), 629-655. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(21)02724-0
• NHS Choices (2024) Diarrhoea and vomiting. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/ (Accessed: 22 June 2024).
• Pandey, S. (2024). Antibiotic resistance in livestock, environment and humans: one health perspective. Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 66(2), 266-278. https://doi.org/10.5187/jast.2023.e129