The Fat Duck 2009

[olicollett]

Why on earth did it take so long for that to come out?

[PhilD]

If you go to the media release of the HPA report is states that Swine Flu delayed the report ( http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1252514873164?p=1231252394302 ).

Not certain what there is to "play out" the HPA report wraps up the incident, lessons have been learned and remedial actions taken (and those were recommended by the HPA). A quick read of the report indicates the cause was the raw ingredients, there are some comments about the complexity of the prep potentially being a factor but it does have a clear statement that No breaches of hygiene standards were identified in the preparation processes as described by staff., it goes on to comment that alcohol gel isn't as effective as hand-washing and some staff may have still be contageous when they came back to work. The reports comment on the delay in notification to the HPA is from the 13/14th Feb to the 24th Feb, not as the newspaper report states mid January.

[PhilD]

Very interested to see how this all plays out, especially in relation to the month lag.

Looks like it has played out: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/6430858/Fat-Duck-food-poisoning-Heston-Blumenthal-will-face-no-action.html

The local council, who is responsible for food safety in their area, has decided not to prosecute The Fat Duck. It appears from the press report that the"blame" lies with the supplier or the water company in Essex. Reading between the lines IMO this vindicates Heston's assertion that the report from the HPA was flawed i.e. it put too much emphasis in FD elements rather than the real problem contaminated raw ingredients. Although the Telegraph still highlights the D-list celbs who are milking the media attention and continue to talk about suing, I imagine their lawyers may well be pointing out that the councils decision not to sue weakens their case. Why don't they sue the supplier instead, but I wonder if the publicity for suing a small fish farm in Essex would be the same?

It seems only the Telegraph picked this up, strange given the breadth and depth of the publicity surrounding the original outbreak. Clearly good news doesn't sell newspapers.

[CalumC]

It might be of interest to some of you that HB has been named guest director of the Cheltenham Science Festival in June. I hope he'll be ambitious with who he gets in to talk, perhaps McGee or This!

Calum