Food poisoning linked to farm which sells raw milk

South Lakeland Council said it had launched a joint investigation with the Food Standards Agency (FSA)
South Lakeland Council said it had launched a joint investigation with the Food Standards Agency (FSA)

A Cumbrian farm which sells raw milk has been pinpointed as the cause of a food poisoning outbreak, council officials have said.

Six cases of campylobacter have been linked to the consumption of unpasteurised (raw) milk at Low Sizergh Barn Farm, Kendal.

South Lakeland Council said it had launched a joint investigation with the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Inquiries are ongoing but experts believe the most likely cause of the outbreak is consumption of raw milk, probably from a vending machine on the site.

Campylobacter is the most common cause of food poisoning and can lead to severe diarrhoea and vomiting.

The incubation period (the time between eating contaminated food and the start of symptoms) for food poisoning caused by campylobacter is usually between two and five days, but can be up to 10 days. The symptoms usually last less than a week.

A spokesman for South Lakeland Council said: "The number of confirmed cases is small, but it is important that we let people know about the situation in case others have been affected.

"The FSA is leading on the ongoing investigation at the farm and they are working to ensure measures are in place to prevent the public consuming unsafe products.

"Unpasteurised milk was removed from sale at the premises as soon as the campylobacter results were confirmed.''