With the inter-relation between food safety and food related illness the Division is also responsible for the investigation and control of certain communicable diseases, in close liaison with the primary care trusts.
The purpose is to contain any infection by finding the cause and prevents its further spread, and taking such measures as to prevent its recurrence.
Officers from the Food Team are involved in investigations to establish the identity of any food associated with the infection, the causative organism, and any contacts infected. This is particularly relevant to food-poisoning outbreaks and other gastro-intestinal infections.
These investigations may lead to improved food handling practices and procedures, thus protecting the public by preventing any recurrence. It is easy to see, therefore, how the responsibilities of Food Safety Enforcement and Communicable Diseases Control complement each other.
Further information on common food poisoning organisms can be found by clicking the relevant titles on the list below.
For a more detailed review of food poisoning organisms or related issues, please click on the links to the websites below.
