Senior figures from the Scottish venison industry have rushed to defend a Dundee venison distribution company after it emerged the firm had been linked to an E coli outbreak which has affected nine people across Scotland.
Highland Game, run by Danish entrepreneur Christian Nissen, provide venison products to supermarkets throughout Scotland and were named as being linked to the outbreakafter an investigation by Health Protection Scotland raised questions over raw meats produced by the group.
Nine people across Scotland have so far been affected by the infection after eating sausages, steaks and meatballs which were purchased raw and cooked at home.
One is still being treated in hospital with the rest recovering at home.
Food Standards Scotland confirmed that Highland Game took immediate action after discovering the link.
A spokesman for the watchdog said: “Epidemiological investigations led by Health Protection Scotland and Scottish Health Boards into an outbreak of E coli O157 have pointed to a link with certain raw venison products produced by a company called Highland Game with use-by dates from 4th September 2015 to 1 October 2015.”
Representatives from both Highland Game and the Scottish Venison Partnership insisted the link between the firm and the outbreak remains unclear and that despite the revelations, consumers should have every confidence in the nation’s venison industry.
A spokesman for Highland Game said: “The FSS has undertaken a full inspection of our Dundee premises and our records and we will continue to provide them with every assistance.
“There is no substantiated evidence to support the actual source of the outbreak.
“Our stringent hygiene controls at Highland Game are second to none, however, as with all meats there can be a risk of contamination somewhere in the food chain,” the spokesman added
Meanwhile, Patrick McGuire from Glasgow law firm Thompsons Solicitors, who successfully claimed compensation on behalf of victims of an E coli outbreak at Gleneagles Hotel earlier this year, insisted that if a link between the outbreak and Highland Game is clearly established then victims could be entitled to compensation.