Bolton factory recalls pork scratchings after link to salmonella outbreak

Several brands of pork scratching have been recalled by a Greater Manchester factory after they were linked to 176 cases of salmonella poisoning that have left at least 12 people requiring hospital treatment, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed.

The FSA warned the public not to eat some of the pork scratchings products made by Tayto Group at its factory in Bolton, because of possible salmonella contamination.

They include Mr Porky, Jay’s and The Real Pork Crackling Company.

Production was voluntary halted at the factory linked to the outbreak once a possible link was first identified earlier this month, the FSA said.

Symptoms of salmonellosis typically resolve themselves and include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.

However, symptoms can be more severe and lead to hospitalisation, especially in the very young and those with weakened immune systems.

Tina Potter, head of incidents at the Food Standards Agency, said: “We are advising consumers not to eat any of the products listed in the FSA alert. It is really important that consumers follow this advice to avoid the risk of becoming ill with salmonella poisoning.

“The food business involved has voluntarily suspended its production to put additional controls in place to improve the safety of their products and they have decided on a voluntary basis to withdraw and recall all of the products within shelf-life produced at this site.”

Dr Lesley Larkin, Surveillance Lead, Gastrointestinal Pathogens Unit at Public Health England, said: “We have established a link between the 176 cases based on the analysis of data obtained through whole genome sequencing and epidemiological investigations.

“These investigations, together with those carried out by local authorities, have indicated the source of infection is pork scratchings produced by a single company in the UK. The Food Standards Agency has acted on these findings to mitigate any further risk to public health from the contaminated food.”

A spokesman for the business told the BBC: “The safety of our products is of the utmost importance, which is why we have taken the decision to initiate a precautionary recall for some products.

“We are working closely with the local environmental health team and the FSA at this time.”