Expert Reacts After Public Health England Notice

By Rob Dixon

A legal expert has urged Public Health England and West Devon Borough Council to work quickly to investigate concerns of contamination in relation to milk and cream products from Dunn’s Dairy of Beacon View Farm, after a warning was published in relation to some items.

Following a joint investigation by the health body and the local authority, consumers are being asked to not consume any milk and cream items they may have from the site and dispose of them. Authorities have stressed that the farm should not be confused with Dunn’s Dairy of Underdown Farm, Exbourne.

Milk samples taken from Dunn’s Dairy, Beacon View Farm raised concerns that pasteurised milk had been contaminated or that the pasteurisation process itself may not have been effective.

According to Public Health England, West Devon Borough Council’s Environment Health team has asked the dairy to stop supplying milk and cream products, as well as to recall any of these products supplied. The milk mark on bottles from the site is UK DE 008 EC.

Irwin Mitchell has successfully represented thousands of members of the public who have suffered illness or injury as a result of consuming contaminated food and drink products, including those who suffered serious illness after consuming Cadbury’s chocolate products contaminated with Salmonella.

David Urpeth, a Partner and expert in such cases at Irwin Mitchell, said: “It is very welcome that Public Health England has taken these steps to raise awareness of this issue and mitigate any potential risks to the public.

“It is vital that all possible steps are taken to alert those who have purchased these particular products. The risks to health caused by contamination of food products should not be underestimated. Members of the public living in the communities that have access to these products will be keen to understand exactly what has occurred and will want re-assurances about the safety of dairy products in the future..

“Transparency will be key to ensuring consumers have confidence and are reassured that these issues will not be repeated.”

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