Legal Experts Asked For Help Once Again Over Newcastle Outbreak

By Rob Dixon

Lawyers instructed once again for help over illness problems at a Newcastle food festival earlier this year are calling for a review of hygiene and food safety regulations, following reports that more than 50 people have been affected by a separate outbreak linked to Wales.

The specialist illness team at Irwin Mitchell has been instructed by yet another victim of the outbreak linked to the Street Spice food festival held at the city’s 'Centre for Life' in February and March this year. The firm is currently acting for dozens of victims seeking justice.

However, the lawyers have now revealed their concerns after the Food Standards Agency confirmed reports of a separate Salmonella outbreak which was first detected in Conwy and Gwynedd and has now been linked with clusters of cases in the Thames Valley, Leeds, Cumbria and Stafford.

According to authorities, ham from an independent butchers has been identified as a potential common link, with testing being carried out on products which have been supplied to other companies.

Irwin Mitchell’s illness lawyers, who represent people affected by food poisoning outbreaks across the globe, are now calling for authorities to review the measures in place to mitigate the risks of Salmonella being contracted by members of the public.

Amandeep Dhillon, an expert in illness claims at the national law firm, said: “We have successfully acted for many thousands of victims of Salmonella and other gastric illnesses, many in large group actions where hundreds of members of the public have been effected and instructed us to represent them.”

“The Newcastle food festival outbreak has had major consequences for those we represent, so to see another major outbreak of Salmonella emerge just months afterwards is obviously a major concern. The public need answers and reassurances that lessons are being learned from issues like this; lessons which in turn would lead to an improvement in public health and safety.”

Amandeep added: “There is recognised guidance regarding the prevention of major illness outbreaks. Through our recent work on major outbreaks related to Legionnaires’, we have concerns over whether such guidance remains adequate.

“In our view, these Salmonella issues provide further evidence that reassurances are needed that regulations remain robust enough to prevent further major outbreaks.”

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