In light of the current outbreak of E.coli O157 in Northern Ireland the Food Safety Unit of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is taking this opportunity to remind those who work with food and are suffering from symptoms of food poisoning, or those in close contact with someone who is, to stay away from work and see their GP.

Practising good hygiene is important, but especially if there is infection in the community, as bacteria can spread very quickly between people. Those who work with food while suffering from certain infections can contaminate the food or the surfaces it may come into contact with.

The symptoms of food poisoning usually begin one to three days after eating contaminated food but, with E.coli, it may be up to seven days before the onset of illness. Symptoms of food poisoning include:

•        feeling sick
•        vomiting
•        diarrhoea
•        stomach cramps
 
If you, or any members of your immediate family, have any of these symptoms, you should report to your manager immediately, stay away from work and see your GP. Managers must stop food handlers with these symptoms from working with food. Those who usually work with food, who are confirmed as having food poisoning, must not return to work until they have medical clearance. This also applies to those who are in close contact with someone confirmed to have food poisoning.

Ivan Bratty the Department’s Food Safety Manager stated “Good hand and general hygiene is very important to help prevent the spread of infection. You must remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, then dry them before handling any cooked food. You should also always wash and dry your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat and poultry, touching the bin, going to the toilet, blowing your nose or touching animals (including pets)”.