§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many food poisoning incidents relating to barbecued food were recorded in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [172702]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Health Protection Agency receives reports of outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease (IID) in England and Wales. A summary of the outbreaks from 1997 to 2003 that were reported as being associated with barbecues or with barbecued food is shown in the table.
However, outbreaks account for only a small proportion of laboratory-confirmed cases of IID (probably around 5 per cent.). The majority of cases are sporadic and in such cases, it is usually impossible to determine the source of infection. Laboratory confirmed cases of IID themselves represent only a fraction of all cases.
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Foodborne outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease (IID) associated with barbecues: 1997 to 20031
Pathogen Location Number ill
Month of onset
Comment 1997 Salmonella Virchow PT8 Restaurant 3 April Chicken (BBQ) 1998 Escherichia coli 0157 School 2 May Sausages at BBQ 2000 Campylobacter BBQ at Residential institution 21 May BBQ held for residents and staff 2001 Salmonella Enteritidis PT6 BBQ at Private House 22 Sent Tiramisu 1 Provisional for 2003. Note:
There were no outbreaks of IID associated with barbecues in 1999, 2002 and 2003.
Source:
Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Gastrointestinal Diseases Department, Health Protection Agency.