I am seeking information relating to foodborne illness investigations and outbreaks within your local authority area for the period: 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2020
Our current service was established in April 2022, prior to which it was a tri-borough arrangement with West Berkshire and Bracknell Forest Councils. Our current database includes data from 2011 – 2020 but we do not have recourse to many of the staff from that period who may have been able to provide more information in terms of coding of information which may have aided data retrieval. Hence this response is subject to related limitations, but all reasonable endeavours have been made to interrogate and access the required data.

1. The total number of confirmed Salmonella cases notified to your authority during this period, broken down by:
- Year
2010: zero
2011: 2
2012: zero
2023: zero
2014: zero
2015: 2
2016: 4
2017: 1
2018: 3
2019: 9
2020: 15
Total: 36
- Serovar where recorded (including specifically Salmonella Strathcona if this information is held.)
S. Enteritidis – 7 S. Typhimurium – 5 S. Other 24 (including S. mikawasima (1) and S. oranienburg(1) - NO S. STRATCONA serotype confirmed

2. The number of foodborne illness outbreaks investigated by your Environmental Health/Public Protection team during this period, broken down by:
- Year
- Suspected or confirmed pathogen (e.g., Salmonella, norovirus, Campylobacter, unknown gastroenteritis)
- Setting (e.g., restaurant, takeaway etc)
An outbreak of foodborne illness involves two or more persons. 8 alleged outbreaks involving 2 or more persons were investigated 2011 – 2020 but none of these incidents were confirmed as a foodborne illness outbreak by stool specimens. Persons alleging symptoms were requested to submit a stool specimen via their GP but did not do so. Investigative visits were made to all 8 food businesses implicated by the allegations but no unsatisfactory practices were identified.

3. For any outbreak or investigation involving Salmonella Strathcona, or a seafood restaurant, shellfish, or tomato related exposure (if recorded), please provide:
- Year of investigation
- Broad location (e.g., town level — no exact addresses required)
- Whether the premises was voluntarily closed or formally closed
Whether enforcement action was taken (e.g., improvement notice, prosecution)
No outbreaks involving Salmonella Strathcona, seafood restaurants or tomato related exposure were highlighted by data searches for the period 2011 – 2020.