December 02, (THEWILL) – Trafford Council has launched an investigation after several guests allegedly became ill from consuming raw chicken served during a recent event at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium. The prestigious football club is also carrying out its own internal investigation into the food poisoning complaints.
Symptoms reported by attendees included diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting – consistent with a Salmonella infection sometimes associated with raw poultry. Investigations aim to determine if the illnesses originated from food consumed in the stadium or were coincidental.
Manchester United currently holds a top “5-Very Good” food hygiene rating from the government, but this incident could jeopardise that score. Their last Food Standards Agency (FSA) inspection occurred on October 23, 2022, but the 2023 rating has not yet been published. The FSA oversees food safety standards like storage, preparation and facility cleanliness.
Businesses with low council ratings must urgently improve hygiene or face closures until safe to reopen. As hospitality and events drive substantial club revenues, a downgrade could mean Manchester United invests considerably in improving protocols and takes longer to regain an excellent rating, also impacting matchday profits.
This cleanliness scandal arises just before confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.3 billion Manchester United investment.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
