Published:
Seven people have fallen ill in Slovakia after eating cheese from an unregistered operation.
Sick people were infected with Salmonella Schleissheim and several of them were hospitalized.
The Regional Veterinary and Food Administration (RVPS) of Liptovský Mikuláš received a complaint from the Regional Public Health Authority (RÚVZ) based in the same area. The incident was reported by the State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic (ŠVPS SR).
Patients consumed products from an operation that the RVPS had no information about. It was not approved and there was no registered sheep breeding at the site.
Inspection findings
Inspectors went to the location in a difficult-to-access forest environment. The owner sold a range of fresh and smoked cheese products to officials. He was later informed that it was an inspection. The visit revealed items were produced and kept in unsuitable hygienic conditions in a wooden shed.
Inspectors found cheese stored in an old wardrobe intended for clothes, smoked cheese in a plastic shopping bag, and products stored at almost 23 degrees C (73.4 degrees F) with no protection from insects and other pests. Tools and equipment were also dirty and inadequate. Curds used in chees