SVPS Confirms Salmonella in Products from Illegal Sheep Farm in Liptov

Liptovsky Mikulas, 16 June (TASR) - The State Veterinary and Food Administration (SVPS) has confirmed the presence of salmonella schleissheim bacteria in products from an illegal sheep farm in the Liptov area (Zilina region), with several consumers of the purchased products ending up in hospital, SVPS reported on a social network on Tuesday. The Regional Public Health Authority (RUVZ) in Liptovsky Mikulas stated that intestinal problems had been confirmed in seven consumers. "The consumers are believed to have eaten products from a sheep farm that wasn't known to SVPS. The establishment hadn't been approved, nor had any sheep breeding at the site been licensed or registered," noted SVPS. SVPS inspectors tracked down the farm in difficult-to-access forest terrain, discovering that the products were produced and stored in very poor hygiene conditions at a temperature of almost 23 °C, while being freely accessible to insects and other pests. The condition of the tools and equipment was also unsatisfactory. "Old dirty aluminium containers, a rusty scale and a grubby knife were being used. Although the owner wore gloves when cutting the cheese, this clearly served more to protect his own hands from getting dirty than to ensure food hygiene," they specified, adding that there was plenty of waste on the premises, roofing material containing asbestos, sheep's wool and various kinds of clutter. Samples were taken from all products and immediately sent for microbiological examination, while the remaining products were destroyed in order to protect consumer health. The presence of salmonella and an above-limit count of coagulase-positive staphylococci was detected in samples of bryndza cheese, fresh sheep's cheese and smoked sheep's cheese, thereby confirming serious hygienic shortcomings. The inspectors also looked into the condition and welfare of the sheep and of three dogs, finding that some of the animals were limping and that the dogs were left without access to water and shelter. "This case has once again confirmed that purchasing food, especially of animal origin, from illegal establishments comes at a high risk of serious health problems," stated SVPS. jrg/df