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. 1991 Jun;106(3):497–505. doi: 10.1017/s0950268800067558

A large outbreak of food poisoning of unknown aetiology associated with Stilton cheese.

H C Maguire 1, M Boyle 1, M J Lewis 1, J Pankhurst 1, A A Wieneke 1, M Jacob 1, J Bruce 1, M O'Mahony 1
PMCID: PMC2271875  PMID: 2050204

Abstract

Between November 1988 and January 1989, a total of 155 people in 36 reported outbreaks suffered gastrointestinal symptoms associated with eating Stilton cheese, produced from unpasteurized cow's milk in the English midlands. Symptoms were suggestive of a staphylococcal illness but extensive laboratory testing of cheeses implicated in several of the outbreaks failed to detect any pathogen, toxin or chemical. Control measures were implemented, and included a voluntary withdrawal of the implicated Stilton cheese from sale on 23 January 1989 and a subsequent decision to use pasteurized milk in production of the cheese.

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Selected References

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