FSA no closer to solving Premier Botulism case
The FSA confirmed that, despite commissioning independent analysis, it was still unable to locate the source of contamination detected in the jar of Loyd Grossman korma sauce that resulted in three children being hospitalised in November.
In his report to the FSA’s board yesterday (January 24), chief executive, Tim Smith said: “There has been extensive investigation into the implicated batch of Lloyd Grossman korma sauce. This has included the commissioning of independent analysis of the jar that contained the contaminated sauce, other jars from the same batch and a detailed look at the production and storage process.
“Despite this extensive analysis it has not been possible to identify the exact point at which the jar became compromised, allowing the growth of Clostridium botulinum to occur. This appears to be an isolated incident involving just one jar of the product."
Complete mystery
The investigation into the incident is now entering its third month, with some scientists describing it as a “complete mystery.”
Premier Foods, along with the FSA, was forced to recall a batch of 350g jars of Loyd Grossman Korma sauce when a child from Northern Scotland was hospitalised after eating the product.
The child’s two siblings then fell ill but were all later released from hospital, as the mystery continued.
The FSA has now said that more comprehensive details of the incident and subsequent investigations, currently being finalised by the Outbreak Control Team, would be published “in due course”.
