Frozen sweetcorn could be cause of deadly listeriosis outbreak across Europe killing nine people including two Brits
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Frozen sweetcorn could be the cause of a deadly listeriosis outbreak across Europe which has killed nine people,including two Brits.
The Food Standards Agency has warned people to thoroughly cook all frozen vegetables after tests showed frozen sweetcorn in particular was responsible for a large amount of bacteria infection across Europe.
Since 2015, 11 cases of the potentially deadly infection have been recorded in the UK, while Austria, Denmark, Finland and Sweden recorded a total of 47 cases.
Nine of those 47 cases were fatal, with two further fatalities occurring in the UK, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
According to the organisation, frozen green beans and spinach could also carry the same potentially deadly strain of bacteria.
The EFSA said a freezing plant in Hungary was the source of the contamination.
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Two of the 11 people who died of listeriosis had consumed the same brand of frozen sweetcorn from the same supermarket, reports Mail Online .
Listeriosis is caused by the bacteria listeria growing on food products.
While the majority of people who catch listeriosis will develop mild symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea, others can go on to develop severe and fatal symptoms.
Pregnant woman, babies, elderly people and anyone with a low immune system are at risk of experiencing serious complications.
Dr Kathie Grant, Head of Public Health England's Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, said: "The best way to prevent listeriosis is to practice good food hygiene.
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"We are reminding people that most frozen vegetables, including sweetcorn, need to be cooked before eating. This includes if adding them to salads, smoothies or dips."
Last week, Hungarian health officials ordered the withdrawal of all frozen vegetables produced by the plant thought to have distributed the infected products.
A report by the EFSA said: "Its report added: 'It is strongly recommended that the processing plant concerned is completely cleaned and disinfected."