If you live in Pombal, Ansião, Leiria, Marinha Grande, Pedrógão Grande, Ourém, Figueira da Foz, Condeixa-a-Nova, Coimbra, Ílhavo or Vagos have good reasons for not eating cornbread. In recent weeks, 187 suspected cases of food poisoning have been detected in these municipalities.
Acknowledging that cornbread is part of the national diet, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) and the Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) recommend, “In this context of suspected cases of food poisoning, the consumption of this food should be stopped in the designated geographical areas.”
This is a “preventive and temporary” measure. He must remain in place while the investigation continues to find out what is going on.
The problem comes from last month. Between July 21 and August 9, 187 cases with similar symptoms – “dry mouth, visual changes, dizziness, mental confusion and decreased muscle tone” were recorded.
These symptoms were observed between 30 minutes and two hours after eating. In most cases, it “disappeared within hours.” However, 43 required hospital care.
In the face of such events, an epidemiological investigation was opened. This action involves the Departments of Public Health of the Center and the Region of Lisbon and the Tagus Valley, the DGS, the ASAE, the National Institute of Agricultural and Veterinary Research, the Directorate General of Food and Veterinary Medicine, the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge and the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences.
In general, the consumption of cornbread is distributed only to those affected in municipalities Dovecote, AncionLeiria, Marinha Grande, Pedrógão Grande, Ourém, Figueira da Foz, Condeixa-a-Nova, Coimbra that it Ílhavo or Vagos, an integral part ofSantarém, Leiria, Coimbra and Aveiro provinces.
The analyzes were performed on cornbread and raw materials and economic operators were examined to determine the batches used. Since there are no cases in other parts of the country, everything points to ‘production wow Regional distribution of suspected foods (cornbread) and their raw materials.
The DGS and ASAE are asking those living in the affected areas to deny themselves this bread until everything is cleared up. Extension of the recommendation region-wide – Santarem, Leiria, Coimbra and Aveiro.
