Authorities confirm 19 people were assessed at A&E and two admitted to hospital after an outbreak of “foodborne illness”
A number of ambulances were seen in St Julian's on Thursday taking those affected to hospital for treatment.
Caterer's Kitchen Closed After Mass Food Poisoning Incident
Public health authorities have issued an Emergency Control Order and ordered the closure of a catering company's kitchen facilities following an outbreak of suspected foodborne illness that affected dozens of employees on Thursday.
In a joint statement on Friday, the Superintendence of Public Health and the Food Safety and Security Authority confirmed that 19 people were assessed at Mater Dei Hospital's Emergency Department, with two requiring admission for further treatment. The affected individuals had all eaten lunch together at their workplace earlier that day.
While the authorities confirmed the 19 hospital assessments, reports indicate that as many as 47 employees sought medical attention after falling ill. Several ambulances were seen responding to the company's premises in St Julian's.
Public health officials immediately launched an epidemiological investigation to establish the source and extent of the outbreak. At the same time, the Food Safety and Security Authority began an urgent investigation into the meals served, collecting food and environmental samples for laboratory analysis to determine the source of the suspected contamination.
As a precautionary measure, and in accordance with the Food Safety and Security Act, the Authority issued an Emergency Control Order, resulting in the temporary closure of the caterer's kitchen facilities pending the outcome of investigations and the implementation of any required corrective measures.
The authorities have not identified the catering company involved. They said all relevant agencies are working together to determine the cause of the outbreak and to ensure that any potential risk to public health is addressed.
The affected company, based at Portomaso Marina, said it had suspended meal deliveries from its current catering supplier and had put alternative arrangements in place while investigations continue.
In a statement, the company noted that the meals had been supplied by an independent third-party contractor and delivered directly to employee areas. It declined to comment on the number of affected employees or individual medical cases, citing privacy considerations and the ongoing investigation.
The company stressed that the cause of the illness has not yet been officially established and said any speculation about the source would be inappropriate until laboratory test results are available. It added that it would review the findings once the authorities conclude their investigation and take any action deemed necessary, emphasising that the wellbeing of its employees remains its top priority.
The public health authorities also reminded the public of the importance of proper food hygiene, particularly during periods of hot weather. They urged food handlers to store, prepare and cook food safely, maintain appropriate refrigeration temperatures, avoid cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods, and ensure that food is thoroughly cooked to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
The authorities also thanked healthcare professionals and Food Safety and Security Authority officials for their swift response to the sudden influx of patients and their ongoing efforts to investigate the incident.
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