Sandwich chain Subway linked to deadly salmonella outbreak

It appears that meat contaminated with salmonella was used by Subway in its sub rolls, which were then served up in outlets across the UK and Ireland.

But health officials have warned that the toll of those affected may be much higher because many did not go to their GP or public health authority after becoming ill.

Subway attempted to keep its link to the food poisoning outbreak a secret

The outbreak has mainly affected young adults, although one child aged just 12 months is known to have fallen ill.

The first cases happened as long ago as February, meaning contaminated sandwiches have been sold for the past five months.

As well as being sold in Subway, the suspect meat  -  which includes beef, chicken and bacon  -  has also been used to produce ready-made sandwiches in cafes and canteens across the country.

The news is highly embarrassing for Subway, which had attempted to keep its link to the food poisoning outbreak a secret.

Outbreak: Suspect meat was sold in Subway stores throughout the UK

On Wednesday, the Daily Mail asked the firm's PR company  -  McKenna Townsend  -  whether Subway was involved in the salmonella outbreak.

At the time, the company refused to admit its products were involved.

On Thursday, the company issued a statement, again failing to admit its products were implicated in the outbreak.

It also refused to respond to a direct question asking whether Subway products were linked.

But the attempted cover-up failed yesterday when the Food Safety Authority of Ireland revealed suspect meat was supplied to Subway.

A statement on the watchdog's website reads: 'Information gathered by the FSAI suggests that potentially contaminated beef product was supplied to the Subway chain of food outlets.'

After the announcement, Subway was forced to issue a statement. It said it became aware of the problem last weekend  -  before the Daily Mail began making inquiries  -  and had withdrawn batches of Philly Style Steak and Chicken Fajita.

A statement added: 'The Subway chain has total confidence that its supply chain is safe and secure.'

The salmonella strain  -  known as Agona  -  is relatively rare but can cause severe stomach upsets and may require hospital treatment.

The original source is believed to be Dawn Farm Foods based at Naas, County Kildare.

Nikki Haine, a spokesman for McKenna Townsend, refused to say why she had attempted to keep the Subway link a secret.

A woman in her late 70s who died on July 16 is the only known fatality of the outbreak.

It is not yet known whether she ate a roll from Subway, although it is thought unlikely.