You can inform the Food and Safety Team of cases of food poisoning illness. The duty environmental health officer (EHO) will look into these to find the cause of the illness. They will identify any premises within the Slough area that may be involved.
The EHO will try to identify any suspect food and take whatever action is appropriate to prevent the spread of infection. Often the EHO will need to contact the patients directly:
If the patient or close family contacts work in the food industry or in other high-risk occupations (residential care, nursing, childcare etc), they may be asked to stay away from work until they have fully recovered from their symptoms.
The EHO may visit the implicated premises, and investigate staff food handling procedures and may undertake an inspection/audit of the premises. Any food handlers with symptoms will be excluded from food handling duties until the investigating officers are satisfied they no longer present a public health risk.
Below you will find details of the following:
This is an illness usually caused by food or drink consumed that was contaminated by bacteria or the poisons they can produce.
Bacillus food poisoning is caused by a group of bacteria commonly found in: soil, dust, vegetation, cereal products, herbs and spices, dried foods, milk and dairy products, meat and meat products.
Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning and gastro-enteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestine) in this country.
Clostridium difficile can cause diarrhoea when it replaces some of the normal bacteria that are found in the human gut. Most often it affects elderly people and those with other health problems.
Cryptosporidium is a small intestinal parasite that can cause diarrhoea in people.
This is one of the bacteria that live naturally in the human or animal gut. There are many strains and most of these are harmless. However, some like E.coli O157 can cause food poisoning.
Giardia is highly infectious. When a person has the parasite they pass it in their faeces.
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus. Cases are more common in the autumn and winter.
Legionellosis is an infection of the lungs caused by Legionella bacteria. These are found in rivers, streams and ponds.
Listeriosis is a rare infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes. These widely distributed bacteria are found in rotting vegetable matter, sewage, soil, water, farm animals, domestic pets and man.
Salmonella is a large group of bacteria that may cause food poisoning and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestine).
Shigella are a group of bacteria that infect the gut causing diarrhoea.
Staphylococcus aureus is a common organism that lives harmlessly on the skin or in the nose of many healthy people. However, sometimes it can cause infection. Huge numbers are often present in boils, sores, wounds and acne.
This gives details on how to provide a stool sample.
Norovirus or winter flu bug is caused by a group of related small viruses. The most common is known as norovirus (winter flu bug). When a person suffers from Norovirus they shed the virus in their vomit and faeces.
Guidance on dealing with viral gastroenteritis in residential and nursing homes.
To discuss an existing food poisoning case contact the duty EHO on the Food and Safety Team on 01753 875255.
For further details on food poisoning visit the Health Protection Agency website.
For all enquiries please contact the Customer Service Centre
01753 475111
01753 875030
MyCouncil
Landmark Place
High Street, Slough
SL1 1JL, opposite
Slough Library
MyCouncil opening times.
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