Warning as cases of deadly bug found in cheese reach record high

Britons have been told to take safety precautions after cases of a dangerous food poisoning bug reached the highest level in a decade. 

Health officials warned the number of people infected with the food-born bacteria salmonella soared by almost a fifth in a single year in 2024 to over 10,000 cases.

The figure, released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), is the highest recorded in a decade with only some 8,000 cases recorded in 2015. 

Salmonella is caught by eating contaminated food with bacteria most commonly items like poultry, meat, eggs, raw fruit and vegetables, as well as unpasteurised milk or cheese.

While normally only causing relatively mild food poisoning a salmonella infection can potentially cause fatal dehydration or if the bacteria enters the bloodstream, can lead to sepsis—a life-threatening reaction.

In response to the surge in cases, health officials have reminded businesses and households of the importance of following food safety measures.

These include keeping food adequately chilled, cooking food to an appropriate temperature, ensuring food preparation surfaces like chopping boards are kept clean, and avoiding cross contamination between items like raw meat and vegetables. 

As salmonella is often caught by eating raw or undercooked meat— officials advise people follow the time and temperature instructions on product labels. 

It is also important to chill food below 5C (32F) as this helps stop harmful bacteria from growing.

People should also clean food equipment and surfaces thoroughly to avoid cross-contamination.

This can include items like re-usable shopping bags, knives and chopping boards and work surfaces. 

Britons should also eat food by the ‘use by’ date on the label even if it looks and smells fine and wash their hands before and after preparing food.

Those most at risk at suffering severe illness from a salmonella infection include those with weakened immune systems such as children and the elderly. 

Health officials also warned of 17.1 per cent rise of another potentially deadly bug, campylobacter, which also kills through dehydration and can lead to sepsis.

Cases have jumped from 60,055 in 2023 to 70,352 in 2024, reaching 121.9 reports per 100,000 population—with those aged 50 to 79 accounting for 44 per cent of cases.

In terms of salmonella, children under ten were particularly affected, accounting for 21.5 per cent of cases. 

The UKHSA and Food Standards Agency (FSA) are looking into potential reasons for the rise in cases.

Dr James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the FSA, said: ‘We are working together to understand the reasons behind the rise in campylobacter and salmonella cases, as well as trends in other pathogens.

‘This analysis will help us take the necessary action to protect public health.

‘We’ve launched a new campaign to help people stay safe.

‘We’re also working with industry and local authorities to support businesses to meet their legal responsibility to make sure food is safe.’

It comes only hours after health chiefs sounded the alarm over read-to-eat salad bags, due to potentially deadly contamination fears.

Inspections found evidence of a bacteria that can cause severe brain damage and breathing difficulties in pre-prepared salad leaves sold across Europe, including the UK.

Toxoplasma gondii oocysts was found in at least four per cent of leaves in the 3,320 salad samples scientists collected between October 2021 and September 2022.

It can be passed on via contact with animal faeces, which contaminate food and water, making salad that is not washed properly a breeding ground for the bug. 

The nasty bacteria doesn’t always cause digestive problems most commonly associated with food poisoning.

It can also cause flu-like symptoms like a fever, muscle aches, disorientation, drowsiness, and headaches. 

What’s more, the scientists warned the contamination could be far more widespread.

This is because manufacturers are not required by UK or EU law to systematically test or inspect fresh produce for foodborne parasites.