THE Food Safety Authority is investigating a possible link between an outbreak of salmonella which has hit consumers across Ireland and the UK and a meat processing plant in Kildare. The potentially contaminated beef was processed at Dawn Farm Foods and was supplied to the Subway chain of sandwich stores.

All meats processed on the same production line as the consignment have been withdrawn in the interest of public health according to the FSAI.

The Subway chain has since withdrawn batches of its Philly Style Steak and Chicken Fajita subs from sale. The fast-food restaurant stressed no other products have been affected and that it has now sourced alternative suppliers.

The products which included cooked chicken strips, cooked beef steak strips and various types of cooked bacon were destined for several made-to-order sandwich markets.

Precautionary

A spokesperson for Dawn Farm Foods at The Maudlins, Naas said it had withdrawn certain products from trade customers as a precautionary measure and that all of its products are tested prior to being released to the market.

So far, eight cases of salmonella -- the potentially deadly stomach bug -- have been confirmed across Ireland, with another two possible cases since the outbreak started in late June. However, it is thought the true figure is much higher as many infected people will not go to see their doctor.

Alan Reilly, of the FSAI, said that to ensure a swift withdrawal of the products, food businesses were being urged to check the list of implicated products on its website, which will be updated as new information becomes available.

He added that the products were used in made-to-order sandwiches, rather than pre-packaged varieties.

"This is a highly complicated outbreak investigation focusing on products from one thermal processing line with a complex food distribution chain. Dawn Farm Foods is fully cooperating with the investigation," he said.

"The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has served a compliance notice to detain all products at the plant produced on the production line under investigation."

"Salmonella Agona is very unpleasant, but it is not life threatening for most people, who usually make a full recovery. However, serious complications can occur for older people, young children, pregnant women and people who are already sick with weakened immune systems," he added.

The FSAI is operating an advice line on 1890 336677 and details of withdrawn products are available on www.fsai.ie.

- Sarah Neville