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Listeria hospital sandwich scare Listeria hospital sandwich scare
(30 minutes later)
Thousands of sandwiches supplied to schools and hospitals throughout the South East may have been infected with listeria, food watchdogs have warned. Thousands of sandwiches supplied to schools, hospitals and businesses in the South East may have been infected with listeria, food watchdogs say.
Kent-based Anchor Catering has supplied food thought to have been contaminated to local authorities in Kent, Sussex, Essex and London. Kent-based Anchor Catering Ltd has supplied food thought to have been contaminated to local authorities in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Essex and London.
The Food Standards Agency said as yet there had been no reported cases of illness caused by the sandwiches. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said as yet there had been no reported cases of illness caused by the sandwiches.
It has launched an investigation into how the infection began.It has launched an investigation into how the infection began.
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The contamination was discovered by a local authority during routine sandwich sample tests. The contamination was discovered by Ashford Borough Council during routine sandwich sample tests.
DSA chief Scientist Dr Andrew Wadge said: "Listeria doesn't pose a threat to the vast majority of the population but it can be serious for some vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. FSA chief scientist Dr Andrew Wadge said: "Listeria doesn't pose a threat to the vast majority of the population but it can be serious for some vulnerable groups such as pregnant women.
"Although the company took prompt action to notify customers and withdraw the product, large numbers of sandwiches may have been consumed before the problem was detected.""Although the company took prompt action to notify customers and withdraw the product, large numbers of sandwiches may have been consumed before the problem was detected."
Symptoms of the listeria infection include fever, flu-like illness and diarrhoea. They can take up to 90 days to appear.Symptoms of the listeria infection include fever, flu-like illness and diarrhoea. They can take up to 90 days to appear.
The Health Protection Agency said the pre-packed sandwiches had use-by dates between 1 February and 14 March.
"We're not saying that all of them were contaminated, we can't be certain of that," said South East regional director Graham Bickler
"But there is a risk that they were.
"For those who are well the risks are extremely low. But the at risk groups are more at risk."
Anchor Catering Ltd voluntarily suspended production at its sandwich factory and told all outlets to pull its products within the dates affected after the contamination came to light.
The company was unavailable for comment.