Diversorium Ordered To Pay £10,000 Regarding Campylobacter Problems

Specialist Public Health lawyers who are representing victims of a food poisoning outbreak linked to a restaurant in Scarborough in 2016 have described news that the venue’s owner has been fined regarding hygiene failings as “a welcome step forward”.

Diversorium Ltd was ordered to pay more than £10,000 after it pleaded guilty to food hygiene offences at its Downe Arms venue, the location where 18 people have consumed contaminated food and then fallen ill since December 2016.

The Scarborough News reported that the local council’s environmental health team were alerted to the problem after being contacted by an employee of a company which held its Christmas party at the site, with nine of those affected going on to be diagnosed with campylobacter.

An inspection was then undertaken in January last year and while it was unable to make conclusions regarding the pate, issues such as cooked and raw meats being stored next to each other were identified.

Amandeep Dhillon, a Partner and head of the Public Health team at Irwin Mitchell who is representing those affected, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Businesses such as restaurants and food outlets are required to follow clear guidelines on the safe handling of food, so it is a welcome step forward to see action being taken when failings have been identified.

“We have now heard first-hand accounts regarding the incident in December 2016, and details have emerged regarding how the illnesses which our clients endured have had a lasting impact on them.

“Many victims of food poisoning are often unaware of potential avenues for legal redress after falling ill following consumption of contaminated food, but cases such as this demonstrate how we can help those who suffer serious illness.

“Following this prosecution, we are working hard to swiftly conclude our cases and ensure that those we represent are able to get the justice they undoubtedly deserve.” Amandeep Dhillon - Partner

The Public Health team at Irwin Mitchell have represented thousands of people who have suffered illness in the UK, including the Toby Carvery outbreak in Exeter in 2015 where they acted for over 290 victims of norovirus, and they have successfully recovered hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation for large groups of people who have suffered gastric illness.

The firm’s Public Health team has represented victims of illness following outbreaks at the Newcastle Spice Festival and the Real China Restaurant in Southampton in 2014. The team work to promote food, health and safety and work alongside NGOs such as the Royal Society in Public Health.

A number of renowned experts have worked with the firm’s Public Health team including David Horrocks, a leading environmental health expert.

David Horrocks said: “The importance of health and hygiene procedures cannot be over-stated. It is essential that establishments provide evidence that verifies that their operations are being conducted in accordance with established principles.

“All too often I have seen that operational standards of food hygiene are, in practice, far from satisfactory, are loosely managed and not in conformity with well-established principles.”

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