Families have reported experiencing severe food poisoning symptoms after consuming Sunday lunch at a well-liked pub.
Customers at The Cwrt Henllys Bar and Restaurant in Cwmbran, South Wales, fell ill shortly after partaking in the roast dinner on October 5. One expectant mother narrated being awakened in the night by intense stomach cramps and severe illness, fearing a miscarriage.
Health officials have confirmed the presence of clostridium perfringens in samples from 19 affected individuals, a bacterium known to cause significant food poisoning.
A family revealed that eight out of their 13 members became unwell on the same day, with even their pet dog showing signs of sickness after consuming the leftovers.
A spokesperson from Torfaen Council stated that microbiological tests linked the illnesses to clostridium perfringens, emphasizing that no additional cases have been reported since the incident.
Clostridium perfringens is a common bacteria found in animals and the environment, often contracted by humans through consuming contaminated meat or poultry left at unsafe temperatures. The Food Standards Agency warns that the bacteria can survive cooking and cause illness if food is inadequately cooled or stored.
The outbreak of C. perfringens food poisoning typically occurs in settings serving large groups of people where maintaining safe food temperatures may be challenging, including batch cooking scenarios at home. Individuals at higher risk of severe symptoms include young children, pregnant women, those with underlying health conditions, and older adults.
The Mirror has reached out to The Cwrt Henllys Bar and Restaurant for their response to the situation.