Most of the 157 cases identified were children, attending 44 different schools across four different local authorities – Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphily and Rhondda Cynon Taf.

[2] For many of those affected, the illness progressed with a typical process of vomiting and bloody diarrhoea, sometimes leading to kidney failure.

[1] A consequence of the E. coli outbreak was the death of a five-year-old named Mason Jones from Deri, Caerphilly.

In a statement to the press, she said "I just want people to know how bad this bacterium is, and how powerless I felt standing by the side of him watching him die from it".

He had falsified records that were an important part of food safety practice and had lied to environmental health officers.

In the Public Inquiry Report, Professor Hugh Pennington said "the blame for the outbreak rests squarely on the shoulders of William Tudor".

[2] The report contained criticisms of several local administrations and food hygiene inspection procedures.

Bridgend County Borough Council was ultimately responsible for the inspection of John Tudor & Son.

Steps must be taken at points throughout the food chain to prevent contamination and cross-contamination, particularly in abattoirs and butchers' premises that handle raw and cooked meats.

Abattoirs' reliance on self-regulation leads to business owners cutting corners, which is what led to the tragedy such as the E. coli outbreak.

I agree that all businesses that are dealing with raw and cooked meats need to have in place an effective and working asset plan.