Our Food Safety team play a key role in reducing the spread of infectious disease by:
- inspecting food premises to make sure food is handled safely and bacterial growth is kept to a minimum
- taking samples of food for analysis to ensure that it is safe to eat
- visiting people suffering with food poisoning in an attempt to identify the source and giving advice on preventing its spread
The risk of food poisoning can be reduced by following good hygiene practices.
Read more on the NHS website about preventing food poisoning and on the Food Standards Agency's food poisoning webpages.
If you have further questions you can email the Food Safety team or telephone 01223 457900.
What we cannot do
Unfortunately we cannot provide specific medical advice for individual cases or comment on any prescribed medication.
Also, we do not undertake medical examinations: please contact your family doctor for this.
We do not apportion blame or take civil action; you are advised to contact a solicitor for legal advice.
Investigating outbreaks
We investigate outbreaks of food poisoning and certain infectious diseases referred to us by the local health authority. Hospitals and family doctors can take enforcement action where appropriate.
Common food poisoning
Bacillus cereus
This can be found in cereals, herbs, spices, dust, soil and dried foods such as rice.
It can cause vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
To find out more you can:
- download our guide to bacillus food poisoning
Campylobacter
Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestine) in this country.
It is often spread by consuming contaminated food, water or unpasteurised milk.
To find out more you can:
- download our guide to campylobacter
- visit the Food Standards Agency pages about 'food bugs'
Chlostridium difficile
This is found in animal and human excreta, soil, dust, insects and raw meat.
It can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting.
To find out more you can:
- download our guide to clostridium difficile
- visit the Department of Health pages about chlostridium difficile
- visit the NHS pages about clostridium difficile, which includes a video guide
Dysentery
Dysentery can be caught through contact with an infected person and contaminated food - especially water or milk.
It can cause diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps and vomiting.
To find out more you can:
- visit the NHS pages about dysentery
E coli
E coli can be found in raw meat, especially in undercooked beef, or infected milk or water.
Most strains are harmless but some can cause food poisoning.
It is spread by eating contaminated food such as undercooked beef burgers, raw vegetables washed or watered with contaminated water, or drinking untreated milk or dairy products.
To find out more you can:
- download our guide to E coli
- visit the NHS pages about food poisoning
- visit the Food Standards Agency pages about 'food bugs'
Hepatitis A
This is found in shellfish, human faeces, blood, urine and contaminated water.
It can cause fever, malaise, tiredness, nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice.
To find out more you can:
- download our guide to hepatitis A
- visit the Health Protection Agency pages about hepatitis A
- visit the NHS pages about hepatitis A
Listeria
Listeriosis is a rare infection caused by listeria bacteria - these are found in rotting vegetable matter, sewage, soil, water, farm animals, domestic pets and humans.
Most cases are caused by the consumption of infected food.
Unlike other food poisoning bacteria, listeria is a potential hazard in chilled food since it can grow at refrigeration temperatures below 5ºC.
The foods that cause most outbreaks are prepared salads, paté, ready meals, and ripened soft cheeses.
To find out more you can:
- read the Food Standards Agency's listeria factsheet
- read the Health Protection Agency's listeria factsheet
- visit the Food Standards Agency pages about 'food bugs'
- visit the NHS pages about listeriosis, which includes a video guide
Salmonella
Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning.
It can be found in raw meat, milk, eggs, poultry, pets (especially rodents and terrapins), sewage and tainted water.
It can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting.
To find out more you can:
- download our guide to salmonella
- visit the Food Standards Agency pages about 'food bugs'
