Cafes blamed for salmonella rise
13 April 2012
Eggs served in cafes and restaurants have been blamed for a sharp rise in a rare strain of salmonella food poisoning.
The number of cases of S-Enteritidis PT14b rose from fewer than 200 in 2001 to 922 last year, the Health Protection Agency said.
A survey linked outbreaks in London and Cheshire to Spanish eggs used in the catering industry.
Dr Sarah O'Brien, head of the HPA investigation, said: 'The results showed us that the people who had been ill were more likely to have consumed eggs outside the home.' Genetic fingerprinting showed some of the infections were linked to imported eggs, she added.
