United Kingdom
LONDON – UK Politicians Concerned About Public Health Risks from US Chicken Imports
A prominent UK politician has sounded the alarm over potential dangers to British public health if a UK-US trade deal permits imports of American poultry treated with chlorine or antimicrobial washes.
Lord Rooker, of the UK’s Labour Party, highlighted evidence that approximately one in 25 chicken packages in US supermarkets poses a salmonella risk, a statistic that raises serious concerns about food safety standards across the Atlantic.
“This idea that we can import chicken from America safely is simply not true,” Rooker stated during a press briefing in London. He cited alarming figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealing that salmonella causes 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually in the United States. By contrast, England recorded just three salmonella-related deaths in 2022.
The use of chlorine or antimicrobial washes to eliminate bacteria like salmonella remains standard practice in US poultry processing, though critics argue this approach merely masks poor hygiene practices rather than addressing fundamental contamination issues. Current UK food safety regulations prohibit such washing methods, focusing instead on preventative measures and maintaining hygiene throughout the production process.
Rooker expressed concern that the American agricultural industry is “desperate” to gain access to British markets, while questioning whether UK government officials fully comprehend the associated risks. “I don’t think we should go anywhere near, in terms of trade deals with America, imports of so-called fresh foods,” he warned.
Rooker also dismissed suggestions that proper labeling would resolve the issue, arguing this would still force consumers to choose between what he characterized as “poisoned meat and badly farmed meat allegedly full of disease and washed off.”
National Farmers Union president Tom Bradshaw reinforced these concerns, declaring any decision to permit chlorinated chicken imports “unacceptable” and emphasizing that the government must maintain the high production standards British farmers currently follow.
“If we don’t want to produce it here in those methods, then we should not import food produced in that way,” Bradshaw insisted. He further urged officials to protect domestic agriculture, warning: “The government must not sacrifice agriculture in trade deals, risking the viability of domestic food production and our food security.”
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has attempted to reassure the public, stating on BBC Radio 4 that the UK maintains “red lines” regarding sanitary and phytosanitary controls and would not permit chlorinated chicken as part of any trade agreement.
Bangladesh
JESSORE – Mass Food Poisoning Incident at Religious Celebration
Over 100 people, including children, fell severely ill after consuming contaminated street food at an Eid religious fair in Jessore.
Health officials reported that 95 victims were admitted to Abhaynagar Upazila health facilities, with 10 patients in critical condition transferred to Khulna Medical College Hospital for intensive care. According to local media, the street food vendor responsible has fled the scene and remains at large.
“We all fell ill after returning home at night. We were admitted to the hospital on Tuesday morning,” one patient told a local newspaper. The doctor treating the victims confirmed that bacterial contamination in food caused the mass poisoning.
Patients have reported a range of symptoms including severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. The popular street snack fuchka, deep-fried dough balls filled with spiced vegetables, appears to be the source of the contamination.
One family member who avoided consuming the tainted food described the ordeal: “My entire family went to the Eid fair on Monday night and ate ‘fuchka’ from that shop. Everyone fell ill after coming home at night. I didn’t eat ‘fuchka’. I admitted everyone to the hospital that night. Since the condition of four of them was critical, I admitted them to Khulna Medical College Hospital.”
Law enforcement officials acknowledged the incident and assured the public they are pursuing the vendor. “We have heard about the incident. We are looking for the petty trader,” stated Abdul Alim, officer-in-charge of Abhaynagar Police Station.
This outbreak occurs amid widespread concerns about declining food safety standards throughout Bangladesh. Recent media reports have highlighted the increasing prevalence of substandard food products across the country, with some suggesting that the absence of stable governance has contributed to regulatory weaknesses.
The Daily Star, a leading Bangladeshi newspaper, recently published findings indicating that harmful chemicals have been detected in numerous everyday food items including vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry, and milk products, presenting a serious public health challenge for the nation.
Saudi Arabia
RIYADH – Authorities Close Popular Dessert Chain Following Food Poisoning Incidents
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing announced Sunday the temporary closure of multiple branches of a food establishment amid widespread food poisoning concerns. The move follows numerous reports circulating across media outlets and social media platforms about a well-known Egyptian dessert chain linked to multiple illness cases.
Though the ministry did not explicitly name the establishment in its official statement, various reports indicate the business in question is a popular Egyptian-inspired dessert brand with significant presence throughout the Gulf region, including several outlets in the UAE.
The ministry confirmed its municipal teams responded to complaints through field inspection operations across various regions, implementing necessary regulatory measures to safeguard public health. As part of the investigation, authorities have reportedly collected food samples for comprehensive laboratory analysis.
The ministry said that most of those affected have recovered, while the remaining cases are receiving treatment and are stable. Major food delivery platforms including Jahez and HungerStation have suspended the chain’s listings from their services pending investigation results.
In a statement, the ministry said that it is working in close coordination with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to address the reported cases according to established protocols and that the production facilities and retail outlets of the business have been temporarily closed until testing has been completed.
Officials reiterated that consumer health and safety remain paramount priorities, assuring the public that action is being taken to ensure food safety.
The statement concluded with an appeal to the public to verify information before sharing and to rely exclusively on official sources for accurate updates about the situation.
India
NEW DELHI – Food Poisoning Outbreak Hospitalizes Over 100
More than 100 people have been hospitalized with food poisoning after consuming contaminated buckwheat flour in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand state in northern India, officials reported Monday.
The contaminated flour, traced to a supplier in neighboring Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district, sent 66 patients to Coronation Hospital and another 44 to Government Doon Medical College Hospital.
Authorities have sealed the originating shop in Saharanpur and alerted other businesses that received flour from the same source.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited affected patients in hospitals on Monday, promising accountability for those responsible saying that whoever was responsible for that will not be spared. An investigation is currently underway.
Japan
TOKYO – Chain to Close Nearly 2,000 Restaurants After Food Contamination Incidents
Japanese restaurant chain Sukiya Co. announced Saturday it will temporarily shut most of its domestic outlets following two separate incidents where vermin were discovered in served food.
In an unprecedented move, approximately 2,000 Sukiya locations across Japan will close from 9am Monday until 9am Friday to implement enhanced sanitation measures. The company plans to use this time to strengthen defenses against pest intrusions, though some outlets in shopping centers will remain operational.
“We are taking the situation seriously,” the Tokyo-based company stated.
The decision follows a customer report on Friday that a cockroach fragment was found in a takeaway item from a Sukiya restaurant near JR Akishima Station in western Tokyo. Restaurant staff immediately apologized, issued a refund, and voluntarily suspended operations at that location Friday afternoon.
This incident comes just one week after Sukiya disclosed that a rat had been discovered in a bowl of miso soup served at a Tottori outlet in January. Despite implementing initial hygiene improvements including visual inspections and staff education across all locations following the first incident, the company has now opted for more comprehensive measures.
The contamination reports have significantly impacted parent company Zensho Holdings, with shares falling up to 7 percent after the incidents became public.
As of late 2024, Sukiya operated 1,965 stores throughout Japan, exceeding the domestic footprint of competitors Yoshinoya (approximately 1,250 locations) and Matsuya (about 1,100 locations). The chain also maintains roughly 650 international outlets across regions including China, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
While Japan is renowned for its high sanitation standards, food recalls and contamination incidents occasionally occur. Last year, over 100,000 packets of sliced bread were recalled after rat remains were discovered in two bags.
Vietnam
HO CHI MINH CITY – Suspected Food Poisoning Affects 45 Students
Forty-five students at Tue Duc Elementary and Middle School in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City have exhibited symptoms consistent with food poisoning after consuming meals served on campus, according to preliminary reports released by school officials.
The affected students from both Tue Duc School and its affiliate Tam Tue Duc School reported various symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. While several students required hospitalization, others remained under observation at home.
On Wednesday, 38 students at the main Tue Duc campus on Luong Dinh Cua Street developed symptoms after consuming breakfast, lunch, and snacks provided by the school. The next day, another seven students from the Tam Tue Duc campus on Nguyen Thi Dinh Street were absent due to complaints of mild abdominal pain.
The meals at both campuses were supplied by a commercial catering company based in Tan Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District.
In response to the incident, school administrators submitted food samples for testing by two independent health inspection units and conducted four internal reviews. Inspectors from the Thu Duc City Office of Education and Training examined the school kitchen on Wednesday afternoon.
Initial inspection findings indicated that the kitchen met hygiene standards, with staff wearing appropriate protective equipment and food samples stored according to regulations.
Hong Kong
HONG KONG – Health Officials Warn Against Wild Mushroom Consumption After Poisoning Case
Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has launched an investigation into a suspected food poisoning case linked to wild mushrooms, prompting officials to issue a public warning about foraging dangers.
A 60-year-old woman developed symptoms including sweating, excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea approximately 15 minutes after consuming wild mushrooms she had gathered herself on March 25. She sought treatment at North Lantau Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department and was subsequently admitted for observation. Hospital officials report her condition is stable.
The CHP said that distinguishing between edible and toxic mushroom species is extremely difficult for non-experts. Mushroom poisoning typically presents as acute illness with rapid onset of gastrointestinal symptoms shortly after consumption.
Health authorities noted that depending on the specific mushroom species ingested, patients may experience various additional symptoms beyond digestive distress. These can include profuse sweating, hallucinations, neurological effects, coma, and potentially fatal liver failure in severe cases.
The Department of Health strongly advises against picking wild mushrooms for consumption under any circumstances. Anyone suspecting mushroom poisoning should seek immediate medical attention and, if possible, bring any remaining mushroom specimens to aid in identification and appropriate treatment.
The CHP investigation into this case remains ongoing.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading food poisoning lawyer said, “All providers of food services have an obligation to follow all established food safety regulations. However, those who supply food to schools and other establishments that serve children have an extra obligation to help protect some of the most vulnerable members of society.”
