Download food poisoning epidemic reported.

Two vendors were closed down at the recent Download festival after “hundreds” of music fans were struck down by food poisoning. Event organiser Live Nation shut the stalls after it was reported that hundreds of people had been affected by the illness, with some having to use buckets as makeshift toilets.

Unfortunate that the promoter of the event was called Liquid Death.

Anecdotal evidence from the medical tent was that as many as 500 people were affected in a “real food poisoning epidemic”. A performer said he had had to go to hospital for treatment.

At events like this it shows just how easy a small slip in Food Hygiene standards can affect hundreds. Many vendors at such events voluntarily display their FHRS rating sticker. For those about to attend Glastonbury and other festivals this summer, buying only from those displaying a 5 rating is your best way of ensuring that the vendors have proper procedures in place to prevent this.