Food Poisoning leaves Nearly 200 People ill

At least 176 people in the UK have fallen ill after eating a bad batch of pork scratchings suspected to be infected with Salmonella.

Around 50 people have been hospitalised with salmonella poisoning and people of all ages have been affected, The Sun reports.

Rachael Newberry, 53, of south London, told the paper: ‘A few days after I ate them, my stomach was gurgling and I felt awful.

‘I was on the toilet all that night. I have been ill for about a week now and have only just started to feel better.

‘I’ve been completely put off pork scratchings for life.’

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recalled packets of Mr Porky, Jay’s, and The Real Pork Crackling Company products with an expiry date of February 19, 2022. The produect have reportedly caused some consumers to become unwell with vomiting, diarrhoea and fever after eating them.

According to reports, six products made by Tayto Group Ltd, the largest British-owned crisp and snack manufacturer, have been affected. They are stocked in major supermarkets.

Tina Potter, head of incidents at the FSA 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.’

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning, or salmonellosis, include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever and usually resolve themselves between four and seven days.

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