Tomás MacGiolla
Ceist:37 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Health if, when an allegation is made of an Irish cheese containing salmonella, he takes any steps to verify this independently.
Written Answers. - Cheese Contamination.
In any case where an allegation is made about the safety of an Irish product all necessary steps are taken to verify this.
In a recent case, regarding the claimed association between an Irish cheese manufactured from unpasteurised milk in Cork and an outbreak of salmonella in the UK samples of the cheese were analysed at laboratories in both Ireland and the UK. Despite the fact that the results in Ireland proved negative positive results were found in nine of the 16 samples analysed in the UK Central Public Health Laboratory at Colindale, London. The variations between these findings were discussed between the Southern Health Board and Colindale and were found to be attributable to differences in test methods. Salmonella is difficult to isolate from cheese because of the high fat content in which the organism can be protected. Colindale used a special detergent to raise and break up the fats and used a higher incubation temperature. The Southern Health Board were satisfied that the results achieved at Colindale were accurate and in the interests of public health therefore and under its powers under the food hygiene regulations they required the cessation of production and the withdrawal and destruction of stock from distribution and retail outlets.
Steps are being taken by the Southern Health Board to revise their own test methods to match that of Colindale.