Nearly 200 people have fallen ill and after suffering salmonella poisoning linked to pork scratchings.
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), some snacks made by Tayto Group at its factory in Bolton have been linked to an outbreak which has left 176 people suffering vomiting, diarrhoea and fevers between September 2020 and the present date.
A selection of Mr Porky, Jay’s, and The Real Pork Crackling Company products have now been recalled and withdrawn from sale by several supermarkets and the company itself.
Production has also been halted.
Public Health England (PHE) confirmed to the BBC that 12 people have been hospitalised after consuming the snacks.
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We are issuing advice to consumers not to eat several pork scratching products linked to salmonella poisoning.
In a recall alert, the FSA issued further details about the snacks, which have best before dates up to and including 19 February 2022, and Tina Potter – Head of Incidents at the FSA – said it was “really important that consumers follow this advice to avoid the risk of becoming ill with salmonella poisoning”.
She added: “The food business involved has voluntarily suspended its production to put additional controls in place to improve the safety of their products.
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“They have decided on a voluntary basis to withdraw and recall all of the products within shelf-life produced at this site.”
Some snacks made by Tayto Group at its factory in Bolton have been linked to an outbreak / Credit: Google Maps
Dr Lesley Larkin, of the gastrointestinal pathogens unit at PHE, said: “We have established a link between the 176 cases based on the analysis of data obtained through whole genome sequencing and epidemiological investigations.
“These investigations, together with those carried out by local authorities, have indicated the source of infection is pork scratchings produced by a single company in the UK.
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“The Food Standards Agency has acted on these findings to mitigate any further risk to public health from the contaminated food.”
A spokesperson for Tayto Group Ltd – which operates from six sites across the UK manufacturing a range of products including pork scratchings, crisps, and popcorn – told the BBC: “The safety of our products is of the utmost importance, which is why we have taken the decision to initiate a precautionary recall for some products.
“We are working closely with the local environmental health team and the FSA at this time.”
Featured Image – Mr Porky
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
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An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
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Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
26th August 2021 
