Three die in listeria outbreak linked to NHS hospital desserts

Cool Delight Desserts

By Jane Kirby and Josie Clarke, PA Media

Three people have died in a listeria outbreak linked to desserts supplied to NHS hospitals and care homes.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed it has been investigating five linked cases of listeria infection.

All five people had listeria between May and December last year, with the UKHSA and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) working to identify the cause.

One of the people who died has had their death attributed to listeria. The other two were known to be infected with listeria at the time of their death.

The five patients were aged between 68 to 89. All had underlying health conditions and were in hospital at the time of infection.

Two were from Yorkshire and Humber, one in the north-west of England, another in the West Midlands and one in Wales.

The UKHSA has found a match for the outbreak strain in a particular type of dessert.

It is understood the bacteria was detected in a chocolate and vanilla mousse and a strawberry and vanilla mousse, both supplied by Cool Delight Desserts.