The Old Farmhouse in Nailsea, north Somerset, which is a Hall & Woodhouse tenanted pub, kept its kitchen shut while investigations by North Somerset Council and Public Health England (PHE) continued, but it did reopen.
A spokesperson for pub group said: “Hall & Woodhouse has been made aware of the recent environmental health officers (EHO) inspection and food hygiene rating at the Old Farmhouse in Nailsea, which resulted in a score of zero.
“This pub is one of our Business Partnerships (tenanted properties) and although we are not directly responsible for the pub, we are supporting the business partner during this time.
“The EHO has given the business partner at the Old Farmhouse confirmation that they are happy for the kitchen to remain open.”
Major improvement necessary
According to the Food Standards Agency website, the council stated the pub’s hygienic food handling and its management of food safety needed major improvement.
The council also confirmed it will be carrying out a repeat inspection in three to six months.
When the incident first occurred in March, North Somerset Council operations assistant director Mandy Bishop said: “Since we became aware of the reported illness among diners, our environmental health officers have visited the premises to inspect the kitchen and assess preparation, cooking and storage practices.
“The venue took the precautionary decision to voluntarily close in order that they can fully co-operate with the investigation.”
PHE consultant in health protection Bayad Nozad outlined the symptoms diners reported. He said: “Those affected reported mild to moderate illness including diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and abdominal cramps.
“It is good news that the majority of affected individuals appear to have recovered quickly. Our advice for anyone else affected is to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and stay away from work or school until symptom-free for 48 hours.”
Clostridium perfringens
He added that PHE tested samples to identify exactly what caused the illness and was working with the environmental health officers from the council to ensure that appropriate precautions and procedures were in place.
Investigations into why more than 60 diners fell ill discovered the cause as Clostridium perfringens.
The council’s Bishop said: “Since we became aware of the reported illness among diners, North Somerset Council’s environmental health officers have visited the premises to inspect the kitchen and assess preparation, cooking and storage practices.”
She also confirmed that the pub had reopened its kitchen and was operating under the guidance of EHO at the council.