Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 5

Written Answers. - E.Coli Infection.

Liz McManus

Question:

19 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the action, if any, he will take on foot of the alarming increase in E.coli infection detailed in the recent report of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; if he has satisfied himself that sufficient information is available to the public regarding the health dangers of undercooked meat products, particularly burgers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10463/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

While there has been an increase in the number of detected cases of E.coli 0157 infection in recent years, this has been due in part to a system of reporting which was put in place in late 1996 by the new specialists in public health. They requested all laboratories to inform public health Departments of detected cases of E.coli 0157; the criteria used by laboratories to test for E.coli 0157 were expanded; and new laboratory techniques were employed. These developments contributed to an increase in the number of E.coli cases detected from eight in 1996 to 76 in 1998.

I welcome the publication by the FSAI of the report titled "The Prevention of E.coli 0157 Infection – A Shared Responsibility". The report notes that there is no simple solution to the prevention of VTEC (including E.coli 0157 infection) but that risk reduction measures are simple and can minimise the risk of VTEC. A preventive programme requires collaboration between all links in the food chain and notes that over-reliance on any one sector will result in a false sense of security.

My Department is, as a matter of urgency, examining those recommendations in the report relevant to its area of responsibility. The FSAI will also be seeking the observations of the other relevant agencies with a responsibility for food safety. It has arranged a course of meetings with professional-industry groups and other relevant third parties to discuss the report's recommendations.

The FSAI has already been building on the report's publication. The report is being distributed to over 1,700 public health personnel, comprising environmental health officers, veterinarians, public health doctors and nurses, laboratory personnel, other Government departments and agencies. Industry groups and representatives are also being issued with a copy of the report.

The following six user-friendly leaflets have been produced and launched by the FSAI on the same day as the report: Reducing the risk of E.coli 0157 on the Farm; E.coli 0157: Preventing the spread of infection in the Abattoir; E.coli 0157: Preventing the spread of infection in the Food Factory; E.coli 0157: Preventing the spread of infection in Catering and Retailing; Preventing E.coli 0157: protecting yourself and your family; E.coli 0157: protecting vulnerable groups.

Five of the six leaflets specifically address the issue of adequate cooking of minced meat products. Advice on the proper methods to be observed when cooking burgers is contained in the two leaflets aimed at consumers and the farming community. The FSAI have also opened a freephone line at 1800 – 336677 to respond to inquiries from members of the public which may arise as a result of the publication of the report.