Food Standards Agency and Health Protection Agency alerting consumers about sandwiches possibly contaminated with Listeria
16 March 2007
The Food Standards Agency and Health Protection Agency are alerting consumers about certain sandwiches that may have been contaminated with listeria and supplied to establishments in London and the South East of England by Kent-based Anchor Catering. The HPA is not currently aware of any reported cases of listeria infection as a result of eating these sandwiches.
The sandwiches which had use by dates from February 21 to March 14 were supplied to a range of establishments in Kent, Sussex, Essex, Middlesex, Surrey and Greater London including schools, hospitals and local authorities (see full list on FSA website) before the problem became known.
The majority of the sandwiches were labelled as Anchor products and some others were labelled as Pomegranate.
The problem was identified by Ashford local authority after a very small number of samples tested positive for listeria during routine sampling. The risk of listeria infection from eating these sandwiches is very low but as a precautionary measure, the FSA and HPA are alerting consumers about the possible contamination. Vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, the elderly and those with lowered immunity are more at risk.
Dr Graham Bickler , Regional Director of the HPA South East said: "Most people will not suffer any ill effects but some groups of people are more at risk and will need prompt treatment if they develop the infection. This group includes pregnant women, the elderly, young babies and people whose immune systems are compromised - for example people with HIV or those undergoing chemotherapy.
"We are not aware of any infection at present but want people in those vulnerable groups to be aware that if they have eaten sandwiches from this company during the period in question and become ill within 2-3 months they must seek medical advice. We also want doctors and healthcare workers to be aware of the signs and symptoms of listeria infection so the correct treatment can be offered promptly."
Andrew Wadge, Chief Scientist at the FSA said: 'Listeria doesn't pose a threat to the vast majority of the population but it can be serious for some vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. We are working closely with the company and the local authority to discover how this happened.
"Although the company took prompt action to notify customers and withdraw the product, large numbers of sandwiches may have been consumed before the problem was detected."
On discovery of contamination, Anchor Catering voluntarily suspended production and has informed the Agency that it contacted the establishments supplied with the sandwiches to withdraw them from sale. The FSA and local authority are working with Anchor Catering to identify the source of the contamination and production at the factory remains suspended.
Symptoms of listeria infection can take up to 90 days to appear after exposure and may start with a fever, 'flu-like' illness and/or diarrhoea.
Although there are many other causes of these symptoms, anyone in one of the vulnerable groups who may be worried that they have been exposed and develops these symptoms, should take advice from their GP or hospital consultant. The illness can usually be effectively treated with antibiotics.
Notes to editors
For a full list of establishments supplied with these products, see www.food.gov.uk
For Anchor Catering's full product list, visit: http://www.anchorcatering.co.uk/
For more information about the health risks, please contact Theresa Cash at the Health Protection Agency on 020 7759 2852 or 07789 295454. More information about listeria can be found at www.hpa.org.uk
Q and A
Q: I think I've eaten one of these pre-prepared sandwiches from Anchor catering. What should I do?
A: As long as you remain well there is no action that you need to take. The majority of people who are exposed to listeria do not become unwell, and there is no reliable test to detect infection amongst people who are not unwell. There is no vaccination to provide protection. Should you become unwell with a fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhoea you should seek medical attention, particularly if you are in a group that is especially vulnerable to this infection e.g. a pregnant woman or someone with a disease and/or medication that lowers your immunity.
Q: I am pregnant/just given birth/ immunosuppressed - am I at greater risk? What should I do?
A: The risk of developing the serious form of listeriosis is low following exposure through the consumption of contaminated food (this is because the majority of listeria bacteria are targeted by the immune system before they are able to cause infection). Because of this, listeriosis is a rare disease in this country, despite the fact that listeria contamination occurs in the food chain at low levels from time to time. Some people are at a higher risk of developing the serious form of disease following exposure, although that risk remains very low. Those most at risk are the unborn babies of mothers who are exposed in pregnancy, newly delivered infants, elderly people and those with an underlying illness that lowers their immunity. Listeriosis, very occasionally, occurs in previously health people.
If you are in a high-risk group and have eaten the contaminated product and within 2 - 3 months become ill with fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhoea, you should contact your GP and inform him or her about this exposure.
Q: If I have recently had a baby and believe that I have been exposed through eating a contaminated sandwich; can I continue to breastfeed?
A: It is perfectly safe to breastfeed as long as you remain well.
Q: What type of illness does the listeria bug cause?
A: The severe form of listeria infection may develop between a few days and up to two or three months after exposure, and may start with a fever, 'flu-like illness, and/or diarrhoea. There are many other causes of such symptoms, but should you believe that you may have been exposed to listeria infection, and particularly if you are in a group that is especially vulnerable to this infection (see above), then you should tell your doctor about your possible exposure. Severe forms of the disease include septicaemia (infection of the blood) and meningitis.
Q: What treatment should I be given if I develop listeria infection?
A: Listeria infection can be treated with antibiotics.
When infection occurs during pregnancy, antibiotics given promptly to the pregnant woman can often prevent infection of the foetus or newborn.
A combination of antibiotics is often used until physicians are certain of the diagnosis. Although very rare, some of the more serious infections can result in death even after prompt treatment. This is most common in the elderly and people with other serious medical conditions but again this is a rare event.
Q: Can I prepare food for others if I think I may have been exposed to listeria infection through the consumption of a sandwich?
A: It is perfectly safe for you to prepare food for others as long as you can follow standard hygienic measures and as long as you are well.
Q: What types of food should I avoid if I am vulnerable to listeria infection?
A: The recent contamination event occurred with pre-prepared sandwiches supplied to hospitals and other outlets. These products have now been withdrawn and will have passed their use by date. Foods associated with transmission are most often ready-to-eat refrigerated and processed foods such as: pre-prepared cooked and chilled meals, soft cheeses, cold cuts of meat, pâtés, preprepared sandwiches and smoked fish. The advice from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) remains in place that those who are pregnant and are immunosuppressed should avoid consumption of soft ripened cheese such as Camembert, Brie and other blue veined varieties as well as to avoid the consumption of pâté .
Q: If I have eaten a contaminated sandwich is there anything I can or should do now? Is there any advantage in going to my doctor for antibiotics?
A: The risk of developing listeria infection after consumption of a contaminated product is very small. If you have eaten a contaminated product and do not have any symptoms, we do not recommend that you have any tests or treatment, even if you are in a high-risk group. However, if you are in a high-risk group, have eaten the contaminated product, and within 2 - 3 months become ill with fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhoea you should contact your GP and/or hospital consultant about this exposure.
Last reviewed: 14 December 2007