Victims of salmonella outbreak secure six-figure settlement

The 28 victims of a salmonella outbreak linked to eggs served by a Chinese restaurant in Eastleigh have secured a six-figure settlement.

The claimants fell ill after dining at the Real China restaurant in Hampshire in July 2014, with many having to take time off work and seek medical assistance after suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting.

The outbreak was linked to a wider outbreak of the bacterial disease, which Public Health England understood could have a single source of eggs. The restaurant's insurers have since paid out a £275,000 settlement.

The affected were represented by Irwin Mitchell solicitors. Amandeep Dhillon, partner and head of the law firm's public health team, said: "This case is just one of many we have seen where people have eaten out and fallen ill through no fault of their own. Food poisoning can have a huge impact on the lives of victims, and severe foodborne infections such as salmonella can leave them needing specialist treatment and requiring time off work.

"Sadly, many of those we represent have also been left with lasting health problems from which they may never fully recover.

"Whilst we are delighted to have secured our clients justice, our primary hope is that lessons have now been learned from this and other outbreaks so that the problems are avoided in the future. Food businesses, from takeaways to restaurants must always ensure that food hygiene and the safety of consumers is their key concern."

The restaurant has since closed down.

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