Dangerous food! Salmonella in cheap meat from Poland caused a wave of infections across Europe. In Austria, 27 people are already sick – and there is already a first death.
After the listeria drama in a cheese factory in Lower Austria with five deaths and one premature birth, Austria has the next spectacular food scandal. Apparently triggered this time by spoiled chicken meat from the east contaminated with salmonella.
In the “Krone” interview, the Food Safety Agency (AGES) confirmed this suspicion. Initial investigations would most likely point to Polish-made poultry for kebab skewers as the suspected source of infection.
Three outbreaks of infection, elderly man died
In total, we’ve had three outbreaks of the disease since February this year, with 27 cases identified by studies as being linked to the same strain of bacteria, Salmonella Enteritidis. In a man over 60, the course was so severe that he died. There are also more than 100 patients in Germany, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway and Great Britain, some of whom still require treatment in hospitals.
A year ago, salmonella in Ferrero children’s chocolate eggs caused a wave of illness across Europe with nearly 400 cases. 14 confirmed illnesses – ten of them were children, mostly under the age of ten, half came to clinics – were only in Austria at that time. The factory in Belgium had to close temporarily.
Local bacteria hunters are on the trail of invisible germs
Outbreaks of food poisoning are common. AGES’ local bacteria hunters monitor the invisible germs in listeria and salmonella at their research institute in Graz. “We use state-of-the-art technologies such as whole genome sequencing, which we use to trace the genetic fingerprint of a wide variety of insidious pathogens. Every year we examine more than 30,000 submissions,” says laboratory boss Dr. Burkhard Springer at a local inspection “Krone”.
Poland up „black meat list” at the top
Cheap meat from Poland is not only a huge problem for local farmers, the sixth largest country in the European Union regularly causes a stir with hygienic conditions and quality problems. Salmonella findings and high antibiotic use make Polish food among the worst in the EU…
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
